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ILLINOIS 

/';/ the 

WORLD WAR 



An Illustrated Record Prepared with the Cooperation 

and Under the Direction of the Leaders in the 

State's Military and Civilian Organizations 



Volume One 




CHICAGO 

States publications Society 

1920 



.Is5i 



Copyright, 1920 
STATES PUBLICATIONS SOCIETY 



I31A571806 



JUL dS m^ 



M-^ 



PREFACE 



T N the preparation of ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR, the Dublishers 
A and editors have had two purposes constantly in mind. They have sought, 
first, to produce a comprehensive and authoritative history that will preserve 
for all time the splendid record made by the Prairie State in the greatest of 
all wars. At the same time they have endeavored to present the inspiring 
story in such a form that it will be read with interest and with profit by 
every citizen of Illinois. 

ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR may be accepted as an authorita- 
tive history because it has been written by or under the supervision of those 
who were at the head of the military and civilian activities of the state dur- 
ing the war period. These men and women have given liberally of their time 
and efforts in order that an authentic record might be compiled. To those 
who have contributed to this work or who, as supervisory editors, have aided 
in its production, the publishers and editors acknowledge a very great obliga- 
tion. 

Since warfare today represents the organized efforts of nations and 
states, rather than the efforts of individuals, ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD 
WAR is the history of the organizations — military and civilian — through 
which the people of the state made their contribution to the common cause. 
It would be impossible to place on record the service of every one of the 
hundreds of thousands of individuals who had some part in the state's war 
activities, but because Illinois was so thoroughly organized for war work, the 
story of the activities of all these individuals is told in the histories of the 
organizations with which they served. 

The first volume of ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR, together with 
a part of the second, constitutes a complete and authoritative history of 
Illinois' combat division — the Thirty-third. In its preparation the editors 
have had the cordial cooperation of Major General George Bell, Jr., the 
division commander; Brigadier Generals Paul A. Wolf, Edward L. King and 
Henry D. Todd, Jr., the brigade commanders, and the commanding officers 
of all the organizations comprising the division. 

In the second volume will be found the histories of the Eighty-fourth, 
Eighty-sixth and Eighty-eighth Divisions, the 149th Field Artillery, the Thir- 
teenth Engineers and other units that were composed wholly or in large part 
of Illinois men. As in the case of the Thirty-third Division, the editors have 

ill 



iv PREFACE 

had the active cooperation and assistance of the commanding officers and other 
members of all these units. The second volume also contains the histories 
of all divisions and other organizations in which any considerable number 
of Illinois men served, together with a record of the activities of Illinois men 
in the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Service, the Medical Corps, the 
Engineers Corps and other branches of the service. 

The third volume is devoted entirely to the work of the state's civilian 
war organizations. 

For the illustration of this work, thousands of photographs have been 
collected from all possible sources. Many are official photographs taken by 
the United States Signal Corps overseas. Others have been obtained from 
private sources. Out of the thousands of pictures collected, the best were 
selected. It is felt that they tell a story of their own without which these 
volumes would be incomplete. 

For a part of the pictures which have been used, the editors are indebted 
to a large number of officers and members of the various organizations. It 
is impossible to give credit to all those who have generously given the use 
of their photographs for this purpose. A special obligation must be acknowl- 
edged, however, to certain officers of the Thirty-third Division, who placed 
large collections of photographs and official maps at the disposal of the pub- 
lishers. Among these officers, most of whom also have given invaluable 
assistance in other respects, are: Colonel Joseph A. Sanborn, Colonel John 
V. Clinnin, Colonel Charles G. Davis, Colonel Horatio B. Hackett, Colonel 
Harry D. Orr, Colonel Henry A. Allen, Lieutenant Colonel Frank R. 
Schwengel, Lieutenant Colonel Diller S. Myers, Jr., Major Ole Olson, Major 
Samuel N. Sorenson, Captain Howard D. IMacDonald, Captain George N. 
JMalstrom, Captain Albert V. Becker, Captain William J. Masoner, Captain 
Paul E. Anderson, Captain Gail Reed, Captain Charles J. Kraft and Lieu- 
tenant Walter B. Greenwood. 

Among others to whom the editors are indebted for the use of personal 
collections of pictures are Captain William Q. Setliffe and Lieutenant Jack 
Little of the Eighty-sixth Division, Captain V. H. Hagelbarger of the Thir- 
teenth Engineers, Lieutenant H. B. McGuire of the Air Service, and Ensign 
Henry M. Rubinkam of the United States Naval Flying Corps. 

The task of compiling a comprehensive and authentic history of the 
part played by a great state in a modern war obviously is a tremendous 
one. Great care has been taken to insure the accuracy of all statements made 
and of all records embodied in these volumes. The publishers believe that 
these efforts have been as successful as is humanly possible. They present 
the work to the public with the feeling that it is an accurate and adequate 
record of the tremendous contribution made by the people of Illinois to the 
victory achieved by American and allied arms. 

STATES PUBLICATIONS SOCIETY. 



PARTIAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS AND SUPERVISORY EDITORS 

Donald F. Biggs, general editor 

William Zimmerman, Jr., managing editor 

Watterson Stealey, associate editor 

Military Section 

Major General Leonard Wood, Commanding Central Department, U. S. A. 

Major General George Bell, Jr., Commanding Thirty-third Division. 

Major General Harry C. Hale, Commanding Eighty-fourth Division. 

Major General Charles H. Martin, Commanding Eighty-sixth Division. 

Major General William Weigel, Commanding Eighty-eighth Division. 

Brigadier General Henry D. Todd, Jr., Commanding Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade, Thirty- 
third Division. 

Brigadier General Paul A. Wolf, Commanding Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade, Thirty-third Division. 

Brigadier General Edward L. King, Commanding Sixty-iifth Infantry Brigade, Thirty-third 
Division. 

Colonel Joseph B. Sanborn, Commanding 131st Infantry, Thirty-third Division. 

Colonel Abel Davis, Commanding 132nd Infantry, Thirty-third Division. 

Colonel John V. CHnnin, Commanding 130th Infantry, Thirty-third Division. 

Colonel Milton J. Foreman, Commanding 122nd Field Artillery, Thirty-third Division. 

Colonel Charles G. Davis, Commanding 123rd Field Artillery, Thirty-third Division. 

Colonel Horatio B. Hackett, Commanding 124th Field Artillery, Thirty-third Division. 

Colonel Henry A. Allen, Commanding 108th Engineers, Thirty-third Division. 

Colonel Charles D. Center, Commanding 108th Train Headquarters and Military Police, Thirty- 
third Division. 

Colonel Harry D. Orr, Commanding loSth Sanitary Train, Thirty-third Division; later Division 
Surgeon. 

Colonel Henry J. Reilly, Commanding i4Qth Field Artillery, Forty-second Division. 

Colonel Franklin H. Martin, M. C, Member Advisory Commission, Council of National Defense. 

Colonel William H. G. Logan, M. C, Chief of Dental Division, Surgeon General's Office, War 
Department. 

Colonel Nathaniel L. Howard, Commanding Thirteenth Engineers. 

Colonel Frederic A. Besley, Director and Chief of Surgical Service, Base Hospital Unit No. 12. 

Colonel Franklin C. Denison, Commanding 370th Infantry. 

Lieutenant Colonel Frederic L. Huidekoper, Adjutant and Official Historian, Thirty-third Division. 

Lieutenant Colonel George Roth, Adjutant and Chief of Staff, Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade. 

Lieutenant Colonel Diller S. Myers, Jr., 129th Infantry, Thirty-third Division. 

Lieutenant Colonel Walter J. Fisher, Commanding io8th Ammunition Train, Thirty-third Division. 

Lieutenant Colonel Frank R. Schwengel, 122nd Field Artillery, Thirty-third Division. 

Lieutenant Colonel Charles R. Forbes, Chief Signal Officer, Thirty-third Division. 

Lieutenant Colonel Charles F. Grain, Commanding 309th Train Headquarters and Military Police 
Eighty-fourth Division. 

Lieutenant Colonel Nelson M. Percy, Chief of Surgical Service, Base Hospital Unit No. 11. 

Lieutenant Colonel Ralph C. Brown, Chief of Medical Division, Base Hospital Unit No. 13. 

Lieutenant Colonel John H. Patton, Adjutant, 370th Infantry. 

Major Mariano B. Southwick, Commanding 122nd Machine Gun Battalion, Thirty-third Division 

Major Albert L. Culbertson, Commanding 123rd Machine Gun Battalion, Thirty-third Division 

Major Floyd F. Putman, Commanding 124th Machine Gun Battalion, Thirty-third Division. 



vi CONTRIBUTORS AND SUPERVISORY EDITORS 

Major Frank W. Barber, Inspector, Thirty-third Division Staff. 

Major Thomas R. Gowenlock, Assistant Chief of Staff, First Division. 

Major Reed Gresham Landis, Military Aviator, Air Service. 

Major Albert J. Ochsner, M. C, Member of Board of Consulting Surgeons to the Surgeon General, 

U. S. A.; Chairman, Illinois Committee on Medical Preparedness. 
Major Edgar B. Tolman, Aid to the Governor of Illinois in the administration of the Selective 

Service Law. 
Major Murray Blanchard, Commanding 520th Engineers; Chairman, Military Committee Western 

Society of Engineers. 
Major John A. Kick, Commanding 412th Telegraph Battalion, U. S. Signal Corps. 
Captain William Q. Setliffe, Secretary, Eighty-sixth Division Association. 
Captain Howard D. MacDonald, 108th Supply Train, Thirty-third Division. 
Captain George N. Malstrom, Operations Officer, 131st Infantry, Thirty-third Division. 
Captain Albert V. Becker, Adjutant, 132nd Infantry, Thirty-third Division. 
Captain Harmon L. Ruff, Adjutant, 130th Infantry, Thirty-third Division. 
Captain Robert J. Casey, 124th Field Artillery, Thirty-third Division. 
Captain Myron E. Adams, Executive Manager, Fort Sheridan Association. 
Captain Charles J. Kraft, Commanding 108th Trench Mortar Battery, Thirty-third Division. 
Captain John W. Root, Fortieth Engineers, (Camouflage Section) U. S. Army. 
Captain David E. Hannan, 370th Heavy Battalion, Tank Corps. 
Captain F. E. Sweitzer, Adjutant, 365th Infantry. 

Captain James A. Valentine, M. C, Seventy-second Artillery, Coast Artillery Corps. 
Captain S. W. McArthur, Assistant Chief of Surgical Service, Base Hospital Unit No. 14. 
Lieutenant Milton E. Robinson, Jr., Assistant Historian, Chicago Quartermaster Depot. 
Lieutenant Walter B. Greenwood, io8th Field Signal Battalion, Thirty-third Division. 
Lieutenant Clarence Clute, 123rd Field Artillery, Thirty-third Division. 
Lieutenant David H. Grant, British Expeditionary Forces; on recruiting detail for Canadian Army 

in Chicago. 
Lieutenant Hugo B. Law, 638th Aero Squadron. 

Lieutenant George V. Gordon, Third Army Composite Regiment, "Pershing's Own." 
Lieutenant Henry N. Cooper, Jr., Sixty-eighth Artillery, Coast Artillery Corps. 
Earl B. Searcy, Adjutant, Department of Illinois, American Legion. 
Junius B. Wood, accredited correspondent with the American Expeditionary Forces in France. 

NAVAL SECTION 

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, United States Navy. 

Captain Edward A. Evers, Commanding Officer, U. S. S. Commodore, United States Naval Reserve 

Force. 
Lieutenant Commander Lee Hammond, Commanding Naval Air Station, Great Lakes Naval 

Training Station. 
Lieutenant James Curtiss, United States Naval Auxiliary Reserve School. 
Ensign Henry M. Rubinkam, United States Naval Flying Corps. 

CIVILIAN SECTION 

Mrs. G. Cooke Adams, State President, Daughters of the British Empire. 

Mrs. Jacob Baur, Chairman, Women's Liberty Loan Committee for Chicago and Cook County. 

Francis G. Blair, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

Mrs. Tiffany Blake, President, Ilhnois Training Farm for Women. 

Albert Boswell, Director of Sales, Il'.inois War Savings Organization. 

Mrs. Joseph T. Bowen, Chairman, Woman's Committee, State Council of Defense, and Woman's 

Committee, Council of National Defense, Illinois Division. 
Mrs. Walter Brewster, Chairman, Chicago Committee, Fatherless Chi'dren of France. 
Mrs. Hermon B. Butler, Chairman, Italian Relief Auxiliary, Chicago Chapter, American Red Cross. 
Mrs. Emma F. Byers, Executive of Central Field Committee, National Board, Y. W. C. A. 
Patrick J. Byrne, Executive Secretary of the Near East Relief for Illinois, formerly the Armenian 

and Syrian Relief Committee for Illinois. 
Daniel V. Casey, Editor of "The Spy Glass," official organ of American Protective League. 
John W. Champion, Secretary, Chicago Chapter, American Red Cross. 
Professor Thomas A. Clark, Dean of Men, University of Il'inois. 



CONTRIBUTORS AND SUPERVISORY EDITORS vii 

William J. Clark, Director of Publicity, National Catholic War Council and Knights of Columbu: 

for Illinois. 
Mrs. William E. Clarke, Corresponding Secretary Chicago Committee, American Fund for French 

Wounded. 
E. E. Crabtree, State Chairman for Illinois, War Loan Organization, Eighth Federal Reserve 

District. 
Mrs. John Crerar, Chairman, Canadian Division, Allied Re'ief Committee. 
Walter Davidson, Assistant Manager, Central Division, American Red Cross. 
Raymond E. Durham, Federal Fuel Administrator for Illinois. 
Commissioner Thomas Esti'l, Commander of Salvation Army in West. 
Mrs. E. R. Filield, Chairman, Chicago Branch, Stage Women's W^ar Relief. 
Horace Spencer Fiske, University of Chicago Press. 

Charles W. Fo'ds, Chairman, Liberty Loan Committee for Chicago and Cook County. 
Judson P. Freeman, Assistant Director of Field Work, Boy Scouts of America. 
Mrs. Archibald Freer, Chairman, War Relief Club. 
Heman Gifford, Director of Sales for Illinois, War Loan Organization, Seventh Federal Reserve 

District. 
John M. Glenn, Secretary, Illinois Manufacturers Association. 

Frank W. Gordon, Executive Secretary, Chicago Bar Association War Committee. 
Professor Clyde L. Gross, Northwestern University. 
Ernest T. Gundlach, Edito- of Bu letins. Four Minute Men. 
B. F. Harris, Vice-chairman, State Council of Defense of I'.linois. 

Bernard Horwich, Chairman, Chicago Joint Relief Committee for Jewish War Sufferers. 
Miss Harriot Houghteling, formerly Secretary, Chicago Committee, Children of the Frontier. 
Mrs. Milan H. Hulbert, Vice-chairman and Treasurer, French Red Cross Committee of Alliance 

Fran(;aise. 
Dr. C. N. Johnson, Director for Central Department, Preparedness League of American Dentir-ts. 
Mrs. A. G. Lester, Secretary, Chicago Committee of the Franco-American Corrective Surgical 

Appliance Committee. 
Frank D. Loomis, Secretary, War Camp Community Service for Cook and Lake Counties. 
James E. McClure, President, Illinois State Press Association. 
Everett L. Millard, Secretary, Belgian Relief Committee for Chicago. 
Peter A. Mortenson, Superintendent of Schools, Chicago. 

The Right Reverend Peter J. Muldoon, Bishop of Rockford; Chairman of the Board of Ad- 
ministration of the National Catholic War Council. 
Mrs. Mary E. Palmer, Corresponding Secretary, Christian Science War Relief Committee for 

Illinois. 
W. L. Pollard, formerly Chief, Historical Branch, Quartermaster Corps. 
Walter M. Provine, President, Illinois Bar Association, iqiS. 
Mrs. Moses L. Purvin, Secretary, Chicago Branch, Jewish Welfare Board. 
William H. Rankin, Vice Chairman, National Advertising Advisory Board. 
E. O. Sessions, District Manager, United States Shipping Board and United States Emergency Fleet 

Corporation. 
K. A. Shumaker, State Secretary, Illinois Y. M. C. A. 
Robert Stevenson, Jr., Deputy Federal Food Administrator for Illinois. 

Mrs. Frederick Tahl, Honorary Secretary, Chicago Committee, Permanent Blind Relief War Fund. 
Mrs. Russell Tyson, Chairman, Allied Relief Committee, Woman's Committee, State Council of 

Defense. 
John H. Walker, President, Illinois State Federation of Labor. 

Dr. George N. West, Director of State of Illinois for Preparedness League of American Dentists. 
Thaddeus W. Wilde, Director of the Central Bureau, National Polish Committee of America. 
H. E. Young, Secretary, Illinois Farmers' Institute. 



DEFINITIONS OF MILITARY TERMS 

Many new words were added to the American military vocabulary by the World War. 
Some were taken directly or adapted from the French, others are slang terms coined by the 
Americans themselves. The reader will find of value the following definitions of military terms 
used frequently in these volumes, many of which had no place in American military terminology 
before the war: 

ALERT — A bugle call or other alarm given as a warning of a threatened attack. 

BILLETS — Lodgings assigned to troops. 

BIVOUAC — An encampment for the night in the open and without shelter, during which the 
troops slept under arms and in readiness for instant action. 

CONSOLIDATING A POSITION— The preparation of a captured position with a view to holding 
it either as the starting point for a subsequent attack or as a defense against an enemy attack. 

DIGGING-IN — The hasty digging of a trench or trenches in order to hold a newly captured 
position. 

DUCK-BOARD — A section of board-walk consisting of two or more scanthng as supports upon 
which small pieces of board are nailed at right angles, in order to facilitate the passage of 
troops across wet or marshy ground. 

DUD — A slang expression applied to shells which fail to burst. 

ECHELON — A military formation in which (i) the position of the units resembles a staircase 
viewed from the side, or (2) the successive units are disposed in depth — i.e., placed succes- 
sively in the rear of one another. 

ENFILADE FIRE — Fire delivered from the flank and parallel to the line against which it is 
directed. 

EVACUATION (in a medical sense) — The removal of sick and wounded from a forward area 
to an area farther in the rear. 

EXPLOITATION OBJECTIVE— The point, line or destination to which the most advanced 
elements of a successful attack are to be pushed. 

FASCINE — A long, cylindrical bundle of brush-wood or sticks, bound together by withes or wire, 
and used to line the inside of trenches, fill ditches, mask batteries, etc. 

FORMING-UP LINE — The position or line on which troops are formed for attack. 

HOP-OVER — A slang expression indicating the initial movement of troops in climbing out of 
trenches at the beginning of an attack. 

JUMP-OFF — The commencement of an infantry attack. 

LEAP-FROGGING — The passage of troops from the rear through the ranks of other troops in 
advance. Like the term "passage of the lines," leap-frogging is usually applied to a movement 
whereby troops in the front line and in contact with the enemy are relieved by troops trom 
the rear which advance into still closer contact with the enemy. 

LIAISON — The unity of inter-communication between bodies of troops or individuals. 

viii 



DEFINITIONS OF MILITARY TERMS ix 

LINE OF RESISTANCE— The line or system of trenches at which the first serious resistance 
is to be opposed to an enemy attack. 

MINE — A submarine or underground container charged with high explosive and destined, when 
fired, to destroy ships, troops or other enemy materiel passing over it. 

MOPPING-UP — The capture or extermination of enemy troops remaining in a captured area 
or position. 

NO MAN'S LAND — The area embraced between the opposing front-line trenches. 

NORMAL OBJECTIVE— The line or position to which an attack is to be pushed and which 
is to be held at the conclusion of such an attack. 

OBJECTIVE — The point, line or position the capture of which is the purpose of mDitary opera- 
tions. 

OBSERVATION POST (O. P.)— A station occupied by observers and connected by telephone 
with other elements. 

POST OF COMMAND (P. C.)— The headquarters in the field of the commanding officer of a 
unit. 

RECONNAISSANCE — An examination of an area by troops or individuals for the purpose of 
obtaining information as to the nature of the terrain where military operations are to be 
conducted, or as to the positions, dispositions, strength and intentions of the enemy. 

REPLACEMENTS — Recruits or troops destined to augment the strength of units which have 
been depleted in consequence of military operations. 

SALIENT — A projection or angle formed by troops or entrenchments jutting out toward the 
enemy. 

SAUSAGE — A slang expression applied to the elongated balloons used for observation. 

SCHOOL OF FIRE — A school where instruction is given in the principles of shooting, especially 
for artillery; specifically, a school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where practical instruction is given 
in field artillery fire. 

SECTOR — A portion of a terrain or military position occupied by a certain unit or defined by 
geographical limits. 

SENSITIVE POINTS — Points of particular importance to the enemy because of supply, com- 
munication, concentration or defense. Examples: A trench crossing, cross or fork of roads, 
depots, villages or enclosed farms, valleys, trench salients, strong-points, etc. 

STRONG-POINT^ — A point in a system of defense destined to oppose unusual resistance to an 
enemy attack and consequently strengthened by artificial means. 

TERRAIN — The Anglicized version of a French word meaning ground or sector where military 
operations take place. 

ZERO HOUR, "H" HOUR — The exact time at which an attack or other military operation is 
to begin. 

TERMS EMPLOYED PARTICULARLY IN ARTILLERY OPERATIONS 

ARTILLERY PARK — A collective name given to the whole of the guns, carriages, ammunition, 
transport and materiel essential to the operations of artillery. The smallest group in which 
this term is used is that of an army corps. 

BARRAGE FIRE — Fire forming a complete screen or curtain of bursting projectiles through or 
under which no movement may be made without heavy casualties. 



X DEFINITIONS OF MILITARY TERMS 

BOX BARRAGE— A barrage enclosing a hostile position on both flanks and the rear, and used 
particular'y in raids to isolate the position to be raided. A moving barrage and covering 
fire are usually employed in conjunction therewith. 

C. P. O. FIRE — Offensive counter-preparation fire to stop a hostile attack before it is launched. 
It includes a barrage in front of the enemy trenches and fire on the defenses of the first line, 
command posts and approaches. 

COUNTER-BARRAGE — When the enemy has laid down a barrage in his attack, a counter-bar- 
rage (the barrage of the C. P. O.) is laid to hold such attack and prevent the arrival of 
reenforcements. 

COUNTER-BATTERY FIRE— Fire delivered by batteries designated for the purpose to silence 
or neutralize firing hostile batteries. 

COVERING BARRAGE OR FIRE— Fire employed during the advance of attacking troops, 
to destroy or neutralize enemy strong points and defenses and the resistance of enemy forces. 
Usually executed by heavy calibre guns. 

CREEPING OR MOVING BARRAGE— Barrage fire employed during the advance of attacking 
troops and which moves by bounds at a given rate for the purpose of destroying or reducing 
enemy resistance immediately before the contact of the attackers. Smoke shells are at times 
used in conjunction with high explosive shells in such a barrage to form a screen. 

DEFENSIVE BARRAGE— A barrage employed in C. P. O. fire or to stop the advance of 
counterattacks. 

DEMOLITION FIRE — Fire for destruction upon hostile batteries, defensive works or enemy 
formations. 

DEMONSTRATION FIRE — Fire delivered to deceive the enemy as to the point of a projected 
attack. 

DRUMFIRE — A name first app'ied by the enemy to fire resembling the rolling of drums, when 
many pieces of artillery of various calibre are employed in a bombardment preliminary to 
an attack or in preparation fire. 

HARASSING FIRE — Fire employed to embarrass the movements and supplies of the enemy. 

INTERDICTION FIRE— Fire to prevent passage to essential points. 

LIFTING BARRAGE — Synonymous v.'ith creeping or moving barrage. A* barrage that advances 
by bounds at a given time or rate. 

ORIENTATION — The science or operations whereby lines joining plotted points upon a map 
are caused to be parallel with the corresponding directions on the ground. 

PANEL STATION — The station where panels are displayed to communicate messages to air- 
planes. Such stations receive messages from the planes by wireless and are in telephonic 
communication with posts of command and battery stations. 

PREPARATION FIRE — The preliminary bombardment preceding an attack. It is employed 
to breach wire, and destroy defenses, strong-points, posts of command, observation posts, 
communications, machine gun nests, hostile batteries, etc. 

ROLLING BARRAGE — Synonymous with creeping or moving barrage. 

PROJECTILES — Shrapnel: A cylindrical steel body containing hardened lead balls with a 
bursting charge of powder. By means of a time fuse the projectile is burst in air and the 
balls are projected by the powder charge in a cone-shaped sheaf in the path in which the 
projectile is traveling. It is used against personnel. 



DEFINITIONS OF MILITARY TERMS xi 

High explosive sheU: The projectile is charged with compressed explosive of great 
power. By means of a fuse, it bursts upon impact, either instantaneously or with varying 
delay, dependent upon the particular fuse used. The projectile is burst into fragments 
It is used against personnel and material and in all destructive tire of defenses. 

Gas Shell: A projectile containing gas in liquid form and a bursting charge of powder. 
By means of a fuse, the shell bursts upon impact and the Uquid is vaporized and forms a 
gas cloud at once, or is sprayed over the ground for the production of gas by evaporation. 
Many different gases were used. The Allies were forced to adopt the gas shell in self-defense 
after its introduction by the Germans. 

Smoke Shell : A projectile containing a matrix and a bursting charge of powder. By 
means of a fuse, the shell bursts upon impact and gives forth a dense smoke. It is used 
in a barrage to screen movements from the enemy or is used to blind his observation posts. 

SOUND RANGING SECTION OR GROUP— A unit whose duties are to locate hostile artillery 
by calculations founded upon the rate of travel of sound. Also to adjust the fire of artillery 
by simi'ar calculations in given cases. These units are particularly adjuncts of stabilized 
warfare and are similar to the better known Flash Ranging Groups which are commonly 
abbreviated "S. R. O. T." These latter groups locate hostile artillery positions by intersection 
on flashes or smoke and also adjust the fire of artillery by similar method. 

STANDING BARRAGE — When an advance is ha'ted according to plan during an attack, the 
moving barrage becomes stationary or a "standing barrage," either upon a hostile line about 
to be entered or before the line of attack during organization of a position to protect the 
infantry from counterattack. 



EQUIVALENT OF FRENCH MEASUREMENTS 

In the calculation of distances, the American Expeditionary Forces used the metric system, 
in which the meter is the unit of measure. The following table shows the exact equivalents of 
the French measurements used in these volumes: 

I millimeter = .03937 inches. 

I Meter =13,281 feet or 1.0936 yards. 

I kilometer = 1093.6 yards. 

For convenience in converting the French measurements, the following approximate equiva- 
lents may be used: 

I Millimeter = 1/25 inch. 
I meter = 40 inches. 
I kilometer = 5/8 mile. 
100 meters = 110 yards. 
1,600 meters = i mile. 
8 kilometers = 5 miles. 



DECORATIONS AWARDED TO AMERICAN SOLDIERS 

The most important decorations awarded by the United States and allied governments to 
soldiers of the United States are given below. The French and Belgian decorations both include 
the Croix de Guerre. Where mention is made in these volumes of the Croix de Guerre, the 
reference is to the French decoration unless otherwise indicated. 

AMERICAN 

Congressional Medal of Honor (awarded for valor). 
Distinguished Service Cross (awarded for valor). 

Distinguished Service Medal (awarded for conspicuous service in a position of trust and re- 
sponsibility). 



Legion d'Honneur (Legion of Honor — five classes). 
Medaille Militaire. 
Croix de Guerre 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf (Army Citation). 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star (Army Corps Citation). 

Croix de Guerre with Silver Star (Division Citation). 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star (Brigade or Regimental Citation). 
Medail'e d'Honneur des Epidemes (awarded to sanitary personnel and to surgeons and nurses). 
Fourragere (shoulder cord awarded to organizations receiving two or more citations). 



Order of the Bath (three classes). 

Order of St. Michael and St. George (two classes). 

Distinguished Service Order. 

Distinguished Conduct Medal. 

Military Medal. 

MUitary Cross. 



Ordre de Leopold (Order of Leopold — five classes). 

Ordre de la Couronne (four classes). 

Decoration Militaire. 

Croix de Guerre (awarded only by citation in army orders). 



Order de St. Maurizio e Lazzaro (five classes). 
Order De la Corona de'Italia (four classes). 
Croce di Guerra (Cross of War). 



Xll 



CONTENTS OF VOLUME ONE 



PAGE 

Introductory Chapter — A Record of Service i 

World Dominion the Stake 15 

America Turns the Tide 46 

The Thirty-third Division 87 

A Dedication by General Bell. 88 

History of the Division 89 

The Thirty-third Division Staff. ............,..,,,.....,, 181 

The Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade 201 

The 131st Infantry 209 

The 132nd Infantry 313 

The 124th Machine Gun Battalion 377 

The Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade 397 

The 129th Infantry 405 

The 130th Infantry 443 

The 123rd Machine Gun Battalion 483 

The Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade. 499 

The 122nd Field Artillery 539 

The 123rd Field Artillery 571 

The 124th Field Artillery 603 

The 1 08th Ammunition Train 631 

The io8th Trench Mortar Battery 646 

xiii 




GOVERNOR FRANK 0. LOWDEN 




LIBERTY TRIUMPHANT 

Illinois in the World War 

A RECORD OF SERVICE 

HE STORY of the part that Illinois played in the 
World War is literally the story of a state at war. 
Above all else, it is the story of hundreds of 
thousands of the state's most sturdy sons, who, 
with splendid courage, gave or offered their all in 
the cause of national security and human liber- 
ties. To the memory of its soldier and sailor dead 
Illinois pays reverent tribute. To those who 
passed through the inferno of fire, many to bear, 
through their lives, the scars of battle, and to all 
those who were ready, had the call come, to step 
into the places of their fallen comrades, the state 
gives all honor. 
Had the World War been, aa in days of old, a war of armies rather 
than of nations, these volumes would deal wholly with the record of the 
fighting men. But because it was a war of nations and of states, the pages 
that follow tell also how millions of men, women, and children, each in his 
own way, strove to the utmost to give strength and comfort to the men who 
were fighting their battles across the sea. For the splendid record which 
the state of Illinois made in the great conflict, the men who wore the khaki 
and the blue willingly share the credit with those who gave themselves de- 
votedly and unselfishly to the important, if less hazardous and less con- 
spicuous, service upon which the success of the nation's arms depended. 

It is a glorious record, whether it was written on the hallowed fields 
of France, in the roaring munition plants at home, on the farms or in the 
homes where industry, thrift and self-sacrifice became the watchwords, that 
the nation's armies might not be handicapped for lack of food or money. 




ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




DRAFTED MEN PARADING IN CHICAGO 



It is a record that is worthy of a great state — a state which, when it went 
to war, gave itself unreservedly to its new and solemn task with the same 
spirit that in long years of peace had put it in a place of leadership among 
the commonwealths of the nation. 

Hundreds of men, as well as many women, of Illinois were playing a 
part in the world conflict long before the United States entered the war. 
Some were fighting on the western front, others were wearing the uniform of 
the Red Cross nurse or the welfare worker. Love of adventure, sympathy 
for the peoples engaged in the struggle, and a desire to aid in relieving the 
sufferings of the fighting men and the starving refugees were the compel- 
ling motives for the sacrifices made by these early volunteers in the cause of 
right and justice. 

To the adventurous souls who wished to get most quickly into the thick 
of the fighting, the greatest appeal was made by the Lafayette Escadrille, 
the famous American aviation unit in the French army. More than one 
youth from Illinois who flew with that picturesque company now sleeps in 
France. Others entered the Foreign Legion, the glorious French fighting 
division made up of men of all nations. Hundreds served with the British; 
the borders of Canada were near and easily reached. Many Italians re- 
turned home to fight for their country when it became involved in the 
struggle. Ambulance companies were organized, equipped and sent over- 
seas. Most of these were attached to the French army, but many saw 
hazardous service with the British, Italian and Serbian armies. 

But while the contribution made to the cause of the Allies by these 



A RECORD OF SERVICE 



soldiers of fortune and angels of mercy who could not wait for their own 
country to enter the war was far frpm insignificant, it is small in compari- 
son with that which was made by Illinois when the United States finally 
aecided to fight. Records compiled in the office of the adjutant general show 
that Illinois gave 351,153 men to the army and navy of the United States 
during the war. Out of every twelve men in the army one was from Illinois. 
Illinois furnished more men to the army and navy than any other state in the 
Union, with the exception of New York and Pennsylvania, both of which 
have larger populations. 

It is in the record that was made by these soldiers and sailors that Illi- 
nois naturally finds the greatest source of pride. It is a record that stands 
without a blot. 

The state's own division, the Thirty-third— the only distinctly Illinois 
division that saw active service in France — is especially close to the hearts 
of the people. Formed from the state's old national guard regiments, the 
Thirty-third represented every part of the commonwealth. Led chiefly by 
Illinois men, under the command 
of Major-General George Bell, 
Jr., a veteran officer of the regu- 
lar army, the Thirty-third, after 
a short period of training over- 
seas, took its place at the side of 
the veteran divisions of the 
American army, and fought glor- 
iously throughout the critical 
days of the war. 

At Hamel, on July 4, 1918, 
four companies of the Thirty- 
third — two from the 131st and 
two from the 132nd Infantry — 
gave a promise of what might 
be expected later of the Illinois 
men. Advancing with the Aus- 
tralians, they attacked the foe 
with such fury and such splendid 
gallantry that they amazed their 
hard-fighting comrades from the 
antipodes. For conspicuous 
bravery in this action, the first 
in which they were engaged, 
nineteen officers and men of the 
four companies were awarded 
the British Military Cross or the 
Medal of Honor, the decorations 
being presented personally by establishing the entente 

King George V. A doughboy with new-found friends. 




4 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

From Ihat time until hostilities ceased on November ii, the Thirty-third 
Division was in action almost continuously. In fact, from June 22 until 
November 11, a period of nearly five months, there were only eighteen 
days when some part, at least, of the division was not holding a portion 
of the allied line. 

At Chipilly Ridge and Gressaire Wood, where the 131st Infantry, almost 
single-handed, broke the German line and cleared the way for the great 
Somme offensive of the British; at Forges Wood, where the 131st and 132nd, 
with the 124th Machine Gun Battalion, took German defenses which had 
been regarded as impregnable; at Consenvoye, where portions of all the 




FRIENDLY INVADERS 

French children watching the departure of American soldiers for the front. 
The loist Ammunition Train in Soulosse, April lo, 1918. 



infantry regiments of the division, with the machine gun battalions, fought 
bravely and victoriously although exposed to the murderous fire of the enemy 
through the failure of a supporting division to gain its objective, the Thirty- 
third established a record for gallantry and efficiency that forms a bright 
chapter in the history of the American Expeditionary Forces. It is recorded 
that it never failed to gain its objectives, and that it never called for reen- 
forcements. In the great attack which opened the desperate Meuse-Argonne 
campaign, the Thirty-third was the only American division which reached 
its objective on scheduled time. 

Although it was detached from the division upon its arrival in France, 
and did not return to it until after the signing of the armistice, the Fifty- 
eighth Artillery Brigade, a part of the Thirty-third, saw as active service 



A RECORD OF SERVICE 




and fought as gallantly 
as did the infantry bri- 
gades. The splendid 
showing which the bri- 
gade made in artillery 
schools after its arrival 
in France caused it to be 
made army artillery, thus 
preventing it from serv- 
ing as a part of the 
Thirty-third Division. 
At St. ISIihiel and in the 
Meuse-Argonne offen- 
sive, the artillery regi- 
ments, with the io8th 
Trench Mortar Battery, A NEW triple ALLIANCE 

and the io8th Ammunition Train, supported at various times the First, Thirty- 
second, Eighty-ninth and Ninety-first Divisions, and served with such con- 
spicuous bravery that they were repeatedly cited by the divisional and 
corps commanders. 

The records of casualties sustained by the Thirty-third Division give 
grim proof of the severity of the fighting in which it was engaged. The 
official reports show qSq men of the division to have been killed or to have 

died of wounds, while 
6,266 others were 
wounded — a total of 
7,255 battle casualties. 

The Eighty-sixth 
Division, which was 
trained at Camp Grant 
and was made up chiefly 
of Illinois selected men, 
was, in a sense, an ill- 
starred unit. Depleted 
time after time while in 
training by drafts made 
upon it to fill the ranks 
of other divisions that 
were about to sail for 
France, the Eighty-sixth 
included in its personnel 
at various times enough 
RECEPTION OF MARSHAL JOFFRE IN CHICAGO men to make up several 

Left to ripht: Lieutenant Governor O^lesby, Cyrus H. Mc- HiNricinnc Tf if -wrprp nnc 
Cormick, Ex-Premier Viviani, Marshal Joffre, Major General ^^'vihiuiii,. 11 u werf pub- 
Barry, Mayor William H. Thompson. sible tO trace all the men 




6 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

who at one time or another enrolled in the Eighty-sixth, doubtless it would 
be found that the division was represented in almost every regiment that 
saw active service in France. 

Despite the difficulties that they continually encountered, the officers of 
the Eighty-sixth Division finally succeeded in evolving out of the stream 
of raw recruits that was continuously flowing into Camp Grant a division 
which they knew would hold its own with the best of the American divisions 
when it should reach the front. Almost a year after it had gone into train- 
ing at Camp Grant, the Eighty-sixth was ordered to France. It disembarked 
at Brest during the latter part of September and the early part of October, 
and there it received the most disheartening blow of all. The Meuse-Argonne 







CAPTURING THE SAINT MIHIEL SALIENT 

Infantry of the Forty-second (Rainbow) Division forming the front line, near St. Benoit, 
September 15, 1918. In the background are machine-gun crews. 

campaign was at its height. The American divisions which were engaged 
were sustaining severe losses, and were appealing for replacements. The 
need at that time was for men, rather than divisions. As a result the 
Eighty-sixth, as a division, was sacrificed. The enlisted men and most of 
the non-commissioned officers of the infantry regiments were scattered among 
a dozen different units. Major-General Charles H. Martin, who had trained 
the division, and taken it overseas, was placed in command of the Ninety- 
second Division, a negro unit, and many of the officers of the infantry regi- 
ments were given commands in other divisions. 

The Eighty-sixth was a victim of the fortunes of war, but the months 
spent in its training were not wasted. Thousands of its infantrymen fought 
heroically with other units during the closing days of the war. Their con- 



A RECORD OF SERVICE 



duct under fire gave con- 
vincing evidence as to 
what might have been 
expected of the Eighty- 
sixth had it been given 
the opportunity to go 
upon the firing hne as a 
unit under the officers 
who had worked so long 
and so faithfully to pre- 
pare it for the ordeal. It 
may safely be said, de- 
spite all the adversities 
of the Eighty-sixth, that 
no other American divi- 
sion furnished more 
fighting men to the Amer- 
ican forces in France. 




IN THE TRENCHES 

Explosion of a phosphorous bomb at maneuvers. 



Illinois was well represented, also, in two other divisions, the Eighty- 
fourth and the Eighty-eighth. In the Eighty-fourth were thousands of selected 
men from the southern part of the state, and the Eighty-eighth included 
many selected men from western Illinois. The Eighty-fourth Division suf- 
fered the same fate as the Eighty-sixth. After a long period of training 
in the United States it was split up when it reached France and many of its 
officers and men took part in the fighting with other divisions. The Eighty- 
eighth had just completed its training on the Alsace front and had been 
transferred to the American Second Army, preliminary to the launching of 
a great offensive toward Metz, when the armistice put an end to hostilities. 









ADVANCING THROUGH A SMOKE SCREEN 

The 318th Regiment, which included about 200 Illinois men, at LeNeufour, October 27, igiS. 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



In addition to these 
divisions, Illinois was 
represented at the front 
by a number of regi- 
ments and man}^ smaller 
units. The 149th Field 
Artillery, formerly the 
First Illinois Field Ar- 
tillery, under command 
of Colonel Henry J. 
Reilly, was called into 
active service early in 
the war as a part of the 
famous Rainbow Divi- 
sion, the Forty-second. 
Among the first units to 
reach France, the 149th 
participated in a dozen 
m a j o r engagements, 

emerging with a record that is not surpassed by that of any other artillery 

regiment in the expeditionary forces. 




A GROUP OF THE 14QTH FIELD ARTILLERY 

Colonel Reilly at the rio;ht; seated at the table, Lieutenant - 
Colonel Curtis G. Redden. 




A DANGEROUS CORNER IN EXERMONT 

Men of the Eighteenth Regiment running for shelter from shell-fire. The First Division had 
just taken one end of the town when this photograph was taken by Lieutenant Nicholas McDonald 
(of Chicago), October 7, 1918. 



A RECORD OF SERVICE 



The Thirteenth Engineers, a regiment of railroad men recruited from 
six systems entering Chicago, and trained in that city, was also among the 
first units to leave for France. For nearly two years this regiment ren- 
dered valiant service in the operation of French railroads in the war zone. 
The railroad men were often under fire, and they performed their difficult 
and hazardous duties with such bravery and skill that many officers and 
men of the regiment 
were awarded the Croix 
de Guerre and other dec- 
orations by the French 
government. Though not 
a combat organization, 
the Thirteenth was given 
combat classification on 
its discharge. 

From the colored 
population of the state 
came two regiments 
which were in the thick 
of the fighting. These 
were the 370th Infantry, 
formerly the Eighth In- 
fantry of the Illinois 
National Guard, and the 
365th Infantry, a regi- 
ment of Illinois selected 
men, which, after a 
period of training at 
Camp Grant, became a 
part of the Ninety-sec- 
ond Division. 

The 370th Infantry 
made a brilliant record 
during the ten months of 
its service with the 
French Fifty-ninth Divi- 
sion. The regiment went 
to France with approxi- 
mately 2,500 men from 
Chicago and several 
downstate cities, and it 
came back with 1,260. 
Its casualties totalled 
fifty per cent, of which jN the WAKE OF THE invaders 

nmety-five men and one The ruins of the cathedral at St, Quentin. 




10 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




A PROSPEROUS GERMAN EXPRESSMAN • " 

In front of his cozy little cottage with his wife, his mother, 
his children and his dog. 



officer were killed in ac- 
tion. The 370th had the 
distinction of being the 
only negro regiment to 
go virtually through the 
entire war with but one 
white officer, Colonel 
Thomas A. Roberts, who 
took command on July 
12, 1918. 

The 365th Infantry 
suffered heavier casual- 
ties than any other unit 
in the Ninety-second Di- 
vision. Its record as a 
combat unit is indicated 
by the fact that it had 
nearly six hundred cas- 
ualties, of whom seventy 
were killed. 



From Chicago alone went four complete base hospital units, which 
had been organized by the Chicago 
chapter of the American Red Cross. 
Base Hospital No. 12 was the first 
Illinois organization to reach France, 
It landed in the middle of June, 191 7, 
and entered at once into active serv- 
ice on the British front. The other 
three Chicago hospital units, Nos. 
II, 13 and 14, all reached France in 
time to help care for the streams of 
American wounded that poured back 
from the front during the closing 
months of the war. 

In addition to these and many 
other units which were made up al- 
most entirely or in large part of 
Illinois men, the state was well rep- 
resented in practically every aero 
squadron, every tank battalion, 
every signal company and every 
other unit that had a part in the vic- 
torious offensives waged by the 
American army in France. 

Illinois men fought with the 




NO LONGER AN EXPRESSMAN 
As the same man looked when the Americans 
captured him in the St. Mihiel drive. He was 
carrying in his pocket the pre-war photograph 
of himself. 



A RECORD OF SERVICE 



II 



First Division at Cantigny and throughout 
the many other engagements in which it later 
participated; with the Marines at Belleau 
Wood; and with the Third Division when it 
stopped the last onrush of the Germans at 
the Marne. Thousands of them served with 
the national guard and national army divi- 
sions of other states, filling the gaps that 
were torn in the ranks of those units by the 
guns of the enemy. There were many Illi- 
nois men in every regiment that drove 
through the Argonne in that last and most 
terrible campaign of the war. 

To the technical and scientific branches 
of the service, Illinois gave thousands of its 
most highly trained men. Its doctors, its 
engineers, its experts in all professions and 
all branches of industry went into the army 
and navy by hundreds and by thousands 
and rendered invaluable service to the men 
who were bearing the brunt of the fighting. 

Illinois also made an important contri- 
bution to the great fleets which made it pos- 
sible for the United States to transport an army of 2,000,000 men across 
the 3,000 miles of water with almost no loss of life. From the Naval Train- 




YONDER LIES METZ! 
Major General McAndrew, chief of 
staff, A. E. F., with Secretary Baker 
at Fort de Marre, Verdun, Septem- 
ber 26, igiS. 




•THEY SHALL NOT PASS" 

This old moat, just inside the city walls of Verdun, could not have stopped the Germans, but 

living flesh and blood could, and did. 



12 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

ing Station at Great Lakes, Illinois, which became, within a few months 
after the war began, the greatest naval training station in the world, a 
hundred thousand men were sent to man the warships which drove the 
U-boats of the enemy from the sea. 

While its soldiers were preparing themselves for the combat and while 
they were on the firing line, the men and women of the state ''behind the 
hnes," both at home and abroad, were doing their utmost to uphold the arms 
of the warriors. Many great organizations that were already in existence, 
notably the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A., the Salvation Army and the Knights 
of Columbus, quickly fitted themselves for the task which fell upon them 
of providing for the comfort and welfare of the fighting men. Other or- 
ganizations, large and small, grew out of war conditions. 

Money, next to men, was the greatest need of the government, and 
Illinois gave its share and more of money. About seven per cent of the 
subscriptions received for the nation's war loans, or a total of approximately 
$1,300,000,000, came from Illinois, which has but five and one-half per cent 
of the population of the United States. The success of the several Liberty 
Loan bond and War Savings stamp campaigns was made possible by the 
efforts of thousands of volunteer workers, recruited from every class of the 
state's population. 

Illinois not only loaned its money, but it gave liberally to support every 
form of war relief. Statistics compiled by the State Council of Defense show 
that the total contributions of the state to the various funds raised by the 
war aid and relief organizations was more than $45,000,000. 

Before the war was many months old, scores of organizations, in which 
hundreds of men, women and children were enrolled, were engaged in this 
work of relief, and in other forms of service that were vitally important to 
the successful prosecution of the war. Illinois men were responsible for 
the creation and development of a number of organizations of a national scope 







THE U. S. MILITARY CEMETERY AT ROMAGNE 
The burial-place of 32,000 Americans killed in the Argonne. 



A RECORD OF SERVICE 



13 



which gave the government invaluable aid. Among these were the American 
Protective League and the Four-Minute Men. 

In the Food Administration^ the Fuel Administration and many other 
bodies of an official or quasi-official character which made it possible for the 
government to carry out its great war-making program, thousands of loyal 
citizens of Illinois served faithfully and well, setting aside, in many cases, 
large private interests that they might give their entire time and energies 
to the service of the government. Not the smallest contribution of the state 
was the farm crop of 191 8, which was estimated by the Department of Agri- 
culture to be worth $879,697,000 — the greatest crop in money value that was 
ever produced by any state in the Union, 

In the manufacture of war supplies, Illinois did all and more than it was 
called on to do. Great factories were converted quickly into munition plants, 
and new ones were constructed in record time. The output of Illinois factories 
in direct war contracts in 191 8 was approximately $2,000,000,000. The 
patriotism of the state's workers made it possible to establish this record. 
Strikes were almost unknown during the war period. In many munition 
plants holidays were stricken from the calendar. Thoughts of personal com- 
fort and financial gain gave way before the intense desire to "help win the 
war." 

Behind those who were formally allied with the organizations whose 
stories are told in the pages of these volumes were the millions of men and 
women of the state who worked silently but no less faithfully in their homes 
and in their neighborhoods, that the fighting men might lack nothing of 
cheer and comfort. Before the war ended, many of these carried with them 
the burden of bereavement. More than 5,000 men of Illinois gave their 
lives in the defense of world freedom and liberty. Some fell in the stress 
and fury of the battle, others died of wounds, and still others of disease. 
However their end came, they gave their lives freely for the cause of Right, 
and their names and deeds shall ever form one of the brightest heritages of 
the Commonwealth. To their memories is reverentlv dedicated this record of 
ILIJNOIS IN THE WORLD WAR. 




SUNSET IN BELLEAU WOODS 



THE WAR RECORD OE THE PRAIRTE STATE 

THK KICHTIXC KOKCES 

Illinois gave 351,153 men to the United Slates Army and Navy for service in the World 
War, according to statistics compiled by the adjutant general of the state. 

01' tile 351,153 men in the service, 163,143, or more than 40 per cent, entered by enlistmenl 
— 25,045 in the national guard, 24,663 in the navy, 3,<>7S in the marine corps and iOQ,757 m 
the United States Army (excluding national guard). 

Illinois registered 1,572,747 men under (he selective draft and of these iSS.oio were inducted 
into the service. 

More than 5,000 Illinois men gave their lives in the service of their country. 

Of seventy-eight officers and men who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, 
tlie most highly prized military decoration in the world, seven were residents of Illinois, more 
than were credited to any other state excepting New York; nine were members of the Thirty- 
third Division, more than were claimed by any other division excepting the Thirtieth; five were 
members of the 132nd Infantry, a record excelled by only one other regiment in the American 
army. 

More than 350 officers and men from Illinois were awarded the Distinguished Service 
Cross for extraordinary heroism in action. 

Four great training camps were established in Illinoir — the Reserve Officers' Training Camp 
at Fort Sheridan, the (ireat Lakes Naval Training Station, the National Army cantonment at 
Camj) (irant, and the Chanute Flying Field at Rantoul. 

THK CIVILIAN ARMY 

Eighty thousand citizens of Illinois engaged in war activities under the direct supervision 
of the State Council of Defense, nearly 700,000 women of Illinois were enrolled under the l)anner 
of the Woman's Committee, State Council of Defense, and hundreds of thousands of other men, 
women and children were active in the work of various war aid and relief organizations. 

With 5.5 \)vv cent of the country's population, Illinois took 7.5 per cent of the nation's 
war loans, subscribing for approximately Si, 650,000,000 worth of Liberty bonds and War 
Savings Stamps. 

Illinois gave more than .$45,000,000 to war aid and relief organizations. 

Illinois farmers, as a war contribution, produced in 1Q17 a larger crop than any other 
state and in IQ18 the most valuable crop ever grown in any state. 

Illinois, in IQ18, turned out manufactured products valued at $6,000,000,000, the output 
consisting chiefly of war supplies and one-third of it produced on direct war contracts. 

Illinois gave to the nation two of its most powerful war-time organizations, the American 
Protective League and the Four Minute Men. 

Organized labor of Illinois met the demand for increased production by maintaining indus- 
trial peace, not a strike of importance taking place in the state while the nation was actually 
at war. 

More than 50 per cent of all the food purchased for the United States Army during the 
war was supplied by the Chicago zone. Illinois contributed the greater part of these products. 

Two of the seven members of the Advisory Commission of the Council of National Defense, 
appointed by President Wilson, were Illinois men. Other citizens of the Prairie state, many of 
whom served without compensation, were called to Washington to direct some of the most 
important war-making activities of the government. 

14 



FRENCH INFANTRY ADVANCING TO THE ATTACK 



World Dominion the Stake 

By Allen L. Churchill 

Former Associate Editor, The New International Encyclopedia 

!AR is dead! Thus said and thought both wise 
men and fools in those far off, peaceful days of 
1914. In Germany too, they said, "War is 
dead," but with tongue in cheek, while lips now 
sealed in death on a hundred battle fields drank 
to a speedy coming of "The Day." 

It is almost impossible to understand, in the 
light of the wisdom acquired by four years of 
agony and bloodshed, the almost universal be- 
lief in 1 914 that great wars were of the past. 
Even when the clouds began to gather and ob- 
scure the skies of peace, men said: "It is but a 
passing shower. It will pass, and the sun will shine tomorrow." 

Among those who guided the destinies of the nations, only those who 
ruled Germany and Austria knew that there would be war, and that it re- 
mained only to find a pretext to let it loose upon the world. For thirty 
years war had been the obsession of the Kaiser and of those who shared 
and moulded his thoughts. The object of this war was to be world dominion 
for Germany. 

By 1 914 the great war machine had been perfected. It had reached the 
highest point of efficiency. Unless it were put into action, deterioration would 
begin. A pretext for this action must therefore be found, and soon. 

Soon it came. Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian crown, visited 
Serajevo, the capital of Bosnia, a Turkish dependency annexed by Austria 
in 1908. He received a sullen welcome, and as he and his wife returned 
from services at the cathedral, a Serbian youth, Gavrio Prinzip, stepped 

IS 




i6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



from among the crowd 
which Hned the street 
and with two shots from 
a magazine pistol, killed 
both the archduke and 
his wife. 

Assassination even 
of crown princes was 
not an unknown thing in 
Europe. Kings had been 
slain by their subjects 
and no wars had fol- 
lowed. Now, however, 
the assassination of 
Archduke Franz Ferdi- 
nand was to be the di- 
rect cause of a world 
war, and this because it 
provided the pretext for 
which Germany so long 
had waited. 

The murder of the 
archduke created no par- 
ticular excitement out- 
side of Germany and 
Austria, but the rapid 
succession of events in- 
dicated beyond doubt 
that the results of this assassination were not to be passed over by diplo- 
matic exchanges of regret. Austria declared the crime to be the result of 
a conspiracy in which high officials of the Serbian government were impli- 
cated. On July 23, therefore, Austria sent to Serbia an ultimatum, con- 
taining eleven demands and stipulating that replies must be delivered before 
6 o'clock on the evening of July 25. To ten of these demands Serbia assented 
under protest, but to the eleventh she could not give assent without abrogat- 
ing her sovereignty. This she refused to do. 

Behind the Austrian ultimatum was the menacing figure of Germany. 
The situation now was such as to cause the greatest alarm in the diplomatic 
centers of all the great powers. Foreign ministers and ambassadors of Eng- 
land, France and Russia did their utmost to stave off the world catastrophe. 
Germany, which, with a word, could have changed the attitude of Austria, 
refused to intercede, and instead protested against the mobilization of Rus- 
sian forces along her border, declaring this to be tantamount to a declara- 
tion of war. The chief endeavor of the German rulers was to exclude Eng- 
land from the war by insuring her neutrality. Sir Edward Grey, British 




VISCOUNT GREY OF FALLODON 
BeUer known as Sir Edward Grey; British Secretary of State 
for Foreign Affairs from igos to 1016. In igig he was ap- 
pointed British ambassador to the United States. 



WORLD DOMINION THE STAKE 



17 



foreign minister, refused to commit himself and continued his efforts to bring 
about a peaceable settlement of the dispute. 

On July 31 Germany made an arrogant demand upon Russia that mobili- 
zation of that nation's forces be stopped within twelve hours. Russia made 
no reply, and on August i Germany began the World War by declaring war 
upon Russia. 

Although Germany's first declaration of war was against Russia, her im- 
mediate goal was France, and the road to France lay through Belgium, whose 
neutrahty was guaranteed as long ago as 1832, and again in 1870, by 
Great Britain, France and Prussia. On July 31 England sent a note to France 
and Germany, asking for a statement of their purpose concerning Belgium. 
France replied immediately that this nation's neutrality would be respected. 
Germany answered that she would respect the neutrality of Belgium if Eng- 
land would stay out of the war. This proposition was promptly declined. It 
was agreed by the British cabinet on August 2 that if the German fleet should 
attempt to attack the coast of France, the British fleet would intervene. Ger- 
many on the following day agreed to refrain from naval attacks on France if 
England would remain neutral, but refused to commit herself with respect to 
the neutrality of Belgium. Her purposes in regard to this country, however, 
already had been made plain, for on August 2 Germany announced to Bel- 
gium its intention of crossing that country for the purpose of attacking 
France. The Belgian minister in London made an appeal to the British For- 
eign Office and was told 
that invasion of Belgium 
by Germany would be 
followed by England's 
declaration of war. On 
August 3 Belgium re- 
plied defiantly to the 
German demand for the 
privilege of crossing its 
soil, and announced that 
it would defend its terri- 
tory against invasion. 

The German hordes 
were soon crossing the 
Belgian border. The ac- 
tual invasion began on 
August 4, when twelve 
regiments of Uhlans 
crossed the frontier near 
Vise and attacked the 
Belgian troops defending the chamber of mysteries 

the border driving the "^^^ council chamber at No. 10 Downing Street, official resi- 

, ■ T'' dence of the British premier, where the destinies of many 

latter back upon Liege, nations have been decided. 




i8 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




King Albert of Belgium 
promptly appealed to 
England, Russia and 
France for aid in repel- 
ling the invader. Eng- 
land sent an ultimatum 
to Germany demanding 
assurance that the neu- 
trality of Belgium would 
be respected. As no re- 
ply was made by Ger- 
many, England imme- 
diately declared war. 

With the entrance 
of England into the con- 
flict, the issue between 
autocracy and democ- 
THE MASTERS OF CENTRAL EUROPE racy was made plain be- 

The Kaiser, Ludendorf, Hindenburg and the Crown Prince. f^j.^ ^-^e people of the 

world. Austria joined with Germany. France and Japan, bound by treaty 
obligations, joined England and Russia. Italy refused to join its allies, Ger- 
many and Austria, for the reason that they were not waging a defensive war, 
and for a time remained neutral. 

In the brief space available, it is impossible in this summary to present 
more than a brief review of the great events which followed the march of the 
German hordes into Belgium. The heroic armies of that gallant nation, 
hastily gathered to- 
gether, made a defense 
which has placed the 
name of Belgium high 
upon the scroll of honor 
of the nations. Belgian 
efforts, however, strong 
as they were, could not 
withstand the over- 
whelming numbers of 
the invading armies. 
The fall of Liege marked 
the beginning of the ac- 
tual invasion by Ger- 
many of Belgium, and it 
marked, also the begin- 
ning of that series of 
atrocities perpetrated on the dictators of the peace 

the defenseless inhabit- Left to right: Lloyd George, Orlando, Clemenceau and Wilson. 




WORLD DOMINION THE STAKE 



19 



ants, which aroused the 
horror and indignation of 
the civihzed world and 
gained for the Germans 
the name borne by their 
barbaric forebears — the 
Huns. 

While these events 
were transpiring in Bel- 
gium, England and France 
were gathering their avail- 
able forces to repel tho 
German attack. The first 
British Expeditionary 
Force landed in France 
and Belgium on the 7th 
of August. It was called, 
by the German general 
staff, England's "Con- 
temptible Little Army." 
and this name it proudly 
bore as one of honor, 
rather than one of con- 
tempt. 

In spite of the deter- 
mined stand of the allied Belgian, French and British forces, the progress of 
the German armies through Belgium into France could not successfully be 
resisted, and following the battle of Mons, in which the lines began to give 
way, began the Great Retreat, which ended at the Marne. There, partly 
through the stupidity of German generals, but chiefly through the skill and 
almost superhuman courage of the French and British soldiers, the German 
line was crumpled up and sent flying back in retreat to its prepared entrench- 
ments along the Aisne River. This was followed by terriiic efforts on the part 
of the Germans to reach the Channel ports, but in this, also, they were frus- 
trated by the skillful movement and the splendid defense of the allied armies. 

These operations finally resolved themselves into a stalemate in which 
the hostile armies faced each other in a line of trenches 400 miles in length, 
extending from Switzerland to the sea. This line remained practically un- 
changed and unbroken for over three years. 

While these important events were occurring on the western front, great 
campaigns were being carried on in Russia and East Prussia. The first clash 
between the Russian and German forces took place near Libau on the Ger- 
man frontier on August 3. Two days later the Russians crossed the frontier 
and drove back the German forces. Other Russian armies were set in motion 
and for a time met with material successes in East Prussia. Germany, sud- 




(p) fiKlcru 

ALBERT, KING OF THE BELGIANS 



1 .Vi riuUrwuml 



20 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



denly aroused to the dan- 
ger of invasion from that 
direction, placed in com- 
mand of the German 
armies on the eastern front 
General von Hindenburg, 
for whom the study of 
that region was the pas- 
sion of his life. Von Hin- 
denburg gathered together 
the shattered German 
forces and met the over- 
confident Russian army at 
Allenstein. There fol- 
lowed the battle of Tan- 
nenberg, so-called from a 
village of that name near 
the great series of marshes 
known as the Masurian 
Lakes. Here, by the suc- 
cessful strategy of von 
Hindenburg, the Russian 
armies were defeated and 

THE SPIRIT OF IMPRISONED BELGIUM almost completely de- 
Desire, Cardinal Mercier, archbishop of Maiines, spiritual Stroyecl. Uver 15,000 
guide of the Belgian people during the most desperate days prisoners were taken, with 
of its existence, a man of iniinite gentleness, humor, courage u j j r j 

and power. ^ , , „ hundreds of guns and 

vast supplies. 

The Russians retreated, followed closely by the triumphant Germans. 
The Russian armies, however, soon were able to make such successful resist- 
ance, with the aid of large reinforcements, that in the latter part of Septem- 
ber von Hindenburg in turn was forced to retreat. He was followed closely 
by the Russians, who kept up persistent attacks through the woods and 
marshes. The Germans suffered heavily, but von Hindenburg contrived to 
get the bulk of his forces back across the frontier and continued his retreat to 
his entrenchments on the Masurian Lakes. 

While this campaign was in progress, another was being waged by other 
Russian armies against the Austrian forces in Galicia. The Russians won a 
complete success in this campaign. On September i, the Austrians evacu- 
ated Lemberg and fell back with the Russians in pursuit. On September 4 
the Austrians were again defeated, and for the time being, Russian ascend- 
ancy in Poland was complete. 

With the outbreak of the war, the German fleet took refuge within the 
fortified harbors of Heligoland and Kiel, while the British fleet, in battle 
array, took its station on the high seas, prepared to destroy any German fleet 




WORLD DOMINION THE STAKE 



21 



or vessels which might 
show an inclination to 
give battle. On August 
28 occurred the first im- 
portant naval action of 
the war, the battle of 
Heligoland. A number 
of German destroyers, 
followed by two cruisers, 
issued from behind Heli- 
goland, and were at once 
seen by British sub- 
marines and destroyers 
which were patrolling 
the coast. These vessels 
turned about as though 
to escape, decoying the 
German ships after 
them, until they ap- 
proached a number of British destroyers coming rapidly from the northwest, 
followed by several English cruisers. The battle which ensued lasted five 
hours and resulted in the defeat of the German squadron. Three German 
cruisers were sunk and one severely damaged. The British vessels suffered no 
serious damage. 

In order to prevent the shipment of goods from neutral countries into 
Germany, Great Britain established a blockade of German ports. Against 
this Germany protested with great vigor. So severe did the blockade become 
that the United States government made a vigorous protest against the at- 
tempt of Great Britain to seize alleged contraband goods in American vessels. 




(r) Iiitern.itKuial Xius Service 

THE RUINS OF THE LIBRARY AT LOUVAIN 





imtti^jiis ><A 



ff ». jil 



-"^ .';?'■«<--. 




THE ISLAND OF HELIGOLAND 



22 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



These protests were treated with the greatest consideration. Apparently 
every effort was made by Great Britain to see that no real injustice should 
be done, but individual Americans suffered great annoyance and some loss. 
When the United States itself later entered the war, the difference of opinion 
between the American and British governments disappeared from public view. 

Late in 1914 Turkey entered the war as an ally of Germany, thus ex- 
tending the field of operations into the Near East. Several attempts against 
the Suez Canal were made by Turkish forces, but these were successfully re- 
pelled by the British. 

Through the last months of 191 4 and the first months of 191 5, the war 
on the western front continued without material change in the relative posi- 




THE LUSITANIA LEAVES NEW YORK ON ITS LAST VOYAGE 



tions of the opposing forces. In the early part of December the British fleet 
won another great victory over a German squadron, off the Falkland Islands. 
Scarborough and several other English coast towns were raided by German 
cruisers, however, and considerable damage was inflicted. Still another vic- 
tory was won by the British fleet in the battle of Dogger Bank, on January 
24, 191 5. The Germans lost several of their most important fighting ships in 
this engagement. The British ships were in command of \^ice-Admiral David 
Beatty, whose wife was a daughter of Marshall Field, of Chicago. 

In the United States Germany had in the meantime been engaged actively 
in the execution of a series of plots and the spreading of propaganda, which 
did much to alienate whatever sympathy for the German cause had existed in 
America at the outbreak of the war. These activities included attempts to 
blow up munition factories, bridges and ships, and the dissemination of false 



WORLD DOMINION THE STAKE 



23 



reports of a nature designed to injure the cause of the Allies. These plots and 
lies failed to make any impression on the morale of American citizenry. 

However bitter the feeling against Germany as a result of this situa- 
tion, the United States was not brought face to face with the great war and 
the things that it signified until May 7, 19 15, when the Cunard liner Lusitania, 
bound from New York to Liverpool, with nearly 2.000 persons on board, was 
torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine near Old Head of Kinsale, south- 
western Ireland. The total number of lives lost was 1,198. Of these 755 
were passengers, among them 124 Americans. This atrocious deed, which 
was directly contrary to all the rules of civilized warfare and international 




(D I'ruleruood & Underwood 

THE BURIAL OF THE LUSITANIA'S DEAD AT QUEENSTOWN 



law, stirred the country from end to end. President Wilson at once pro- 
tested, demanding disavowal of the deed, indemnity, and assurance that such 
a crime would not be repeated. This was followed by a series of notes from 
the President and unsatisfactory replies from Germany. These continued 
without practical result until the actual entrance of the United States into the 
war. 

On February 19, 191 5, the first attack was made in a campaign for the 
forcing of the Dardanelles Strait by the British and French fleets. In con- 
nection with the naval operations, allied troops were landed upon the penin- 
sula of Gallipoli in the face of bitter opposition from the Turkish forces. 
These operations by land and sea were continued throughout the year but 



24 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



without material success. 
In spite of the heroism 
of the attackers, the Al- 
lies were finally com- 
pelled to withdraw their 
forces and abandon the 
enterprise. It was a fail- 
ure, but a glorious fail- 
ure. If the bravery of 
the Anzacs (Australian 
and New Zealand army 
corps) and their com- 
rades could have brought 
victory, the Turks would 
have been wiped out. 

The decision of 
Italy to enter the war on 
the side of the Allies was 
one of the most import- 
ant events of this year. 
Italy made her formal 
declaration of war on 
May 23, 1915, and with- 
in a short time had in- 
vaded Austria on a sixty- 
mile front. 

During the early 
months of 191 5 many 
bloody battles were 
fought on the western 
front, including that of 
Neuve Chapelle, where the British fought gallantly but with little actual gain 
in the first weeks of March. The outstanding operation of the British 
forces on the western front was the battle of the Somme, which began on July 
I and continued until the autumn of 191 5. Losses on both sides in this terrific 
struggle were enormous. The Canadians especially distinguished themselves, 
and their losses in killed and wounded were heavy. The Australian and New 
Zealand corps participated with as great gallantry here as on the peninsula 
of Gallipoli. For France the year was made glorious by the heroic defense 
of V^erdun. All the power of the German arms was thrown into this attack, 
which was repelled by a courage and devotion on the part of the French that 
seemed almost beyond belief. 

On October 14, 1915, Bulgaria entered the war with a campaign against 
Serbia. This gallant little country had already repelled two Austrian inva- 
sions, but was now overwhelmed by the combined German, Austrian and Bul- 




(p) TTiiderwoocl & Underwood 

EDITH CAVELL 

The English nurse who was executed on October 12, igiS, by 
the Germans because she helped British prisoners to escape. 



WORLD DOMINION THE STAKE 



25 



garian armies. The occupation of Saloniki by British and French expedition- 
ary forces compelled Greece to remain with the Allies, in spite of the efforts 
of her pro-German king and queen to enlist her forces with Germany. The 
British suffered disaster in Mesopotamia, where after a gallant campaign 
lasting throughout 191 5, the army under General Townshend was cut off at 
Kut-el-Amara, and compelled to surrender to the Turks on April 29, 19 16. 
Italian forces continued to advance on Austrian territory and finally suc- 
ceeded in capturing Gorizia. Portugal entered the war on the side of the 
Allies, as the result of the strong political and friendly ties existing between 
that country and England. 

During 191 5 great campaigns also were waged on the eastern front, a 
continuation of the operations of the previous year. The balance of victory was 
now with the Russians and now with the Austrians and Germans. Against the 
Russian forces the Austrian armies were never able to prevail. The Russians 
during the spring of 191 5 captured the fortress of Przemysl and Austria seemed 
on the verge of collapse. A new German army, however, under the command of 
General von Mackensen, numbering nearly two million men, with unlimited 
artillery and supplies, came to the assistance of Austria and in a short time 
had routed the Russian armies and sent them back in retreat. Lemberg and 
Warsaw fell to the German arms. 

During 191 6 there occurred two events which brought the war closer to 
America. The first was the arrival at Baltimore on July 9 of the Deutsch- 
land, a large German merchant submarine, and the second was the appear- 
ance on October 7 of a German armed submarine, the U-53, in the harbor of 




© International Film Servica 

THE DEUTSCHLAND, FIRST MERCHANT SUBMARINE 

As it appeared in the harbor of Baltimore. 



26 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Newport. On the following day this sub- 
marine sank a number of British and neutral 
vessels just outside of the three-mile line on 
the Atlantic coast. This event aroused great 
indignation in the United States, but it was 
decided by the government that the Germans 
in these operations were acting within their 
rights. The decision, however, did not soothe 
public opinion. This was one of the mani- 
fold foolish acts performed by Germany, 
which, without gaining military advantage, 
stirred up against that country the sentiment 
of the world. It was probably intended as a 
warning to the United States of what would 
be done along its coasts if America should 
become openly hostile. 

On May 31, 191 6, occurred the greatest 
naval battle of all history, when the British 
and German fleets met in what is known as 
the Battle of Jutland. After terrific combat 
in which both sides sustained great losses of 
men and vessels, the German fleet withdrew 
under cover of darkness. A few days later 
there occurred one of the great tragedies of 
the war. The British cruiser Hampshire, on 
which Earl Kitchener and other British offi- 
cials were traveling, struck a mine and was 
sunk off the coast of Scotland, with all on board. 

America, drawing ever nearer to actual participation in the great war, 
came to the final issue in the first months of 191 7. The closing weeks of 1916 
were marked by desperate efforts on the part of Germany to bring about peace. 
On December 12 a note was dispatched to the neutral powers in which it was 
suggested that the time had come for some definite effort to bring about a 
condition of peace. On December 18 President Wilson, through Secretary 
Lansing, sent a note to the warring powers in which he suggested that they 
declare their respective views as to the terms upon which the war might be 
concluded. Germany replied to this note in an evasive way, whereas the 
Allies answered with a detailed statement of the reasons for which they were 
at war and the terms on which they would conclude the struggle. 

On January 31, 191 7, however, any thought of approaching peace was 
ended by the declaration of the German government of its intention to pursue 
unrestricted submarine warfare in a zone around the enemy countries, and 
sink after February i, 191 7, all ships encountered in that zone. 

In this crisis President Wilson did not delay. On February 3 Count von 
Bernstorff and his official staff were given their passports. On the afternoon 




ADMIRAL VON TIRPITZ 

Supposed to be responsible for the pol- 
icy 



of unrestricted submarine warfare. 



28 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



of the same day the President addressed Congress, declaring that the rights 
of the United States would be maintained. He said: 

"I do not desire any hostile conflict with the Imperial German Govern- 
ment. We are the sincere friends of the German people and earnestly desire 
to remain at peace with the government that speaks for them. We shall not 
believe that they are hostile to us until we are obliged to believe it, and we 
purpose nothing more than a reasonable defense of the undoubted rights of 
our people. We wish to serve no selfish ends. We seek merely to stand true 
alike in thought and action to the immemorial principles of our people which 




THESE FRENCH REFUGEES SAVED WHAT THEY COULD 



I sought to express in my address to the Senate only two weeks ago; seek 
merely to vindicate our right to liberty and justice and an unmolested life. 
These are the bases of peace, not war. God grant we may not be challenged 
to defend them by acts of wilful injustice on the part of the government of 
Germany." 

The Senate on February ii passed a resolution approving the action 
taken by the President. On the same day, for the first time since the promul- 
gation of the German edict, a passenger ship fell a victim to the German 
blockade. This was the steamer California bound from New York to Glasgow. 

There followed now a period of tense waiting for the "overt act" which 
the President had said was necessary before the final steps against Germany 



WORLD DOiMlNlON THE STAKE 



29 




French UIHcial I'liutoaiapli 

A COAL MINE AT LENS AS THE GERMANS LEFT IT 



should be taken. Other 
ships, many of which 
bore American passen- 
gers, were sunk. To add 
to the anxiety, the 
American ambassador, 
James W. Gerard, was 
prevented, on various 
pretexts, from leaving 
Berlin. 

On February 26 the 
President again a d- 
dressed Congress, and 
asked for authority to 
use the armed forces of 

the United States to protect American rights on the seas. He asked chiefly for 
permission to arm American vessels, and thus produce a condition of what 
was called "armed neutrality." Owing to opposition in Congress, this per- 
mission was not given him, but the President was able to bring about the re- 
sult through other methods. On March 4, President Wilson was inaugurated 
for his second term. Almost immediately he called a session of the Sixty-fifth 
Congress to assemble on April 16. In the meantime German submarines con- 
tinued to fire on and sink American vessels and vessels which had Americans 
on board. It was obvious that a state of armed neutrality was inadequate to 
meet the serious situation. The President was confronted with the necessity 
of immediately taking more drastic action. He therefore issued a proclama- 
tion calling for Congress to assemble on April 2 instead of on April 16 "to re- 
ceive a communication concerning grave matters of national policy." 

To all thinking men 
war now seemed inevi- 
table and preparations 
steadily went forward 
with that end in view. 
On March 25 the Presi- 
dent called to federal 
service fourteen national 
guard regiments. Prepa- 
rations were also made 
for the mobilization of 
other troops. The na- 
tional government every 
day received emphatic 
assurances of support 
from state legislatures, 
BUT THE POiLU MUST HAVE HIS FUN governors and members 




30 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

SidD-fiftl) (Congms 0f t|c feitA States of |lmei'ica; 

^t the JJirst Session, 

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the second day of April, 
one thousand nine hundred and seventeen. 



JOINT RESOLUTION 



Declarin;,' that a state of war exists between the Imperial German Government 
and t}ie Government and the jjeople of the United 8tates and making 
provision to prosecute the same. 



Whereas tlie Iiiip'rial <;erman Government has committed repeat, -d arts of 
war airalnsl the Government and the peo])ie of the United States <if 
America : Tlicrcforc he it 

f,'<-s„/r,(/ h,/ IIh- S, iiiih- iiiul Jfou.sr of llcprrsiiil.itin'.s oj the rniliil Sliifi'.s 
"f Jiinri',1 i>i < 'njif/n-ss dttsiinhled . That the state of war between the United 
States and ihc iiufu'rial (Jermaii Government which has thus been thrust upon 
the Ur.iled Sl;iics i^ liereby formally declared; and that the President be, and 
hv is hcrcliv. aullmrized and directed to emphiy the entire naval and military 
i'orcr^ <if (he United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war 
a^'"ains( the lm|H'rial German Gi.veinmeiit ; and to bring the contlict to a 
succe^vfiil termination ail of the resources of the country are hereby ple<lged by 
the Gomrress of the I'nited States. 



SjU'dhr of f/te JIous*.' of Hcprc-'H-iitnlin s. 



/r^hn.irz:^ J .yrU-,/^py 



t'(cc J'resiilciit a/ the United States nml 

President of the Se)iiil'- 




'^^Zo-^'^—-^ 



((■| HaiTis and Ewlng. 

AMERICA'S DECLARATION OF WAR 



WORLD DOMINION THE STAKE 



31 




WOODROW WILSON 



(O Underwood & Underwood 



32 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




(p) Iiiti'iiuitii'iial Film Service 

KERENSKY REVIEWING fflS TROOPS 



of Congress. On the ap- 
pointed date, April 2, 
191 7, President Wilson 
appeared before a joint 
session of Congress and 
asked that body to de- 
clare the existence of a 
state of war with Ger- 
many. On the next day 
the foreign affairs com- 
mittees of both houses 
met to consider a joint 
resolution introduced im- 
mediately after the 
President's address. The 
resolution as adopted 
was approved by the 
President on April 6. 
The United States was 
finally in the war, and 
for Germany this was 
the beginning of the end. 
When the giant of 
the West unsheathed his sword the war-weary Allies were filled with fresh 
courage and hope, which lent vigor to their armies before America's power 
could be put into play. A week after the American declaration the gallant 
Canadian troops, by a series of assaults, took from the Germans a number of 
important points about Lens, where a deadlock had existed for nearly two years. 
At the same time the Germans were in retreat before the British forces 
on a long front. Everywhere was evidence of renewed vigor, the result of 
faith in the power of the United States. The Italians, not to be outdone by 
their companions in arms on the northern battle line, pressed back the Aus- 
trian invaders on the Carso in a series of brilliant battles, from May 22 to 26. 
Meanwhile there came an announcement which was later to be recog- 
nized as one of great importance. On May 15 General Foch, later to be 
commander of all the Allies' forces, was appointed chief of staff of the French 
armies. 

In the United States no time was wasted. From the day war was de- 
clared every effort was made to produce as rapidly as possible an aggressive 
and powerful fighting force. A bill providing for compulsory military service 
was passed quickly through Congress and on May 18 was signed by the Presi- 
dent. In obedience to the terms of this measure, all men between the ages of 
21 and 30, inclusive, registered for service on June 5. 

General Pershing, commander-in-chief of the American Expeditionary 
Forces, reached England on his way to France on June 8. He was followed 



WORLD DOMINION THE STAKE 



33 



on July 3 by the first de- 
tachments of the great 
army which eventually 
was to be under his com- 
mand. 

Great events had 
occurred in Russia dur- 
ing these months. The 
imperial regime was 
overthrown in a revolu- 
tion which scarcely dis- 
turbed the routine of na- 
tional life, and on July 
2 0, Alexander Kerensky 
became premier of a new 
provisional government, 
which proclaimed its al- 
legiance to the Allies and 
i t s determination t o 
carry on the war against 
Germany. 

The British re- 
sumed their assaults 
against the German lines 
in July, and on the 31st 
penetrated them to a 

considerable extent on a twenty-mile front between Warneton and Dixmude. 
This thrust was the only important movement in the western theater until 
August 15, when Canadian troops, by almost superhuman efforts, captured 
the famous Hill 70, overlooking Lens. 

Various steps toward peace were taken late in the summer of 191 7, the 
principal proposal being made by Pope Benedict XV. The pope sent to all 
the warring powers a plea for peace on the basis of "no annexations and no 
indemnities," but the proposal was not acceptable. President Wilson rejected 
it on August 28. 

On September 5 the new American national army began to assemble in 
the several cantonments for training. Other American forces were steadily 
going overseas. 

In Flanders and the East the Allies won important victories as fall ap- 
proached. By a brilliant stroke on September 29 the British army in Meso- 
potamia succeeded in capturing a large Turkish force. Ten days later French 
and British forces took several strong German positions in Flanders. The 
American troops in France fired their first shot in trench warfare on October 
23, and on the same day the French began an advance northwest of Soissons. 

These victories were offset in some degree by successes of the Austro- 




P.iitish Otiioal Photograpli 

A STREET IN CAMBRAI 
The morning the Germans were driven out. 



34 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




German armies on the 
Italian front. Their of- 
fensive, which began Oc- 
tober 24, was directed 
against Italian troops 
vvhose morale had been 
weakened b y propa- 
ganda. It resulted in one 
of the great disasters 
of the war, a precipitate 
retreat of all the Italian 
forces across the Isonzo 
river. 

Canadian troops, by 
a brilliant stroke, captured the lown of Passchendaele in Flanders on Novem- 
ber 6. Ten days later the Italians under General Diaz made a desperate 
stand, repulsing the Austro-German forces on the Asiago plateau of the Brenta 
River. This cheering victory was followed by a British drive toward Cambrai, 
in which the Bois de Bourlon, three miles from the city, was captured. 

In Russia, meanwhile, events had favored the Germans. Kerensky had 
proved too weak to control the rising radical forces, and on November 7 he 
was deposed by a Bolshevist counter-revolution, directed by Lenin and Trot- 
zky. The new rulers immediately opened peace negotiations which resulted 
in virtual unconditional surrender to Germany on December 16, by the treaty 
of Brest-Litovsk. 

In the East, however, the British had been winning victories of far- 



FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH 




Uiaisn ottic-ial Pliotoerapl! 



BRITISH DRESSING ST.\TION NEAR CAMBR.\I 



WORLD DOMINION THE STAKE 



S^ 



reaching importance. On November i the army operating in Palestine cap- 
tured historic Beersheba. An advance against Jerusalem was begun, and 
after a series of brilliant victories the British captured the city, December 9. 
ending the Turkish rule imposed 673 years before. 

The opening weeks of 191 8 found American troops overseas in large 
numbers. An entire sector northwest of Toul was taken over on January 19, 
but there was little activity until March i, when the Americans won a signal 
victory in the salient north of Toul. 

The Germans launched a tremendous final effort on March 2 1 , driving 
forward along a fifty-mile front between La Fere and Arras. Although the 
attack was not unexpected, the British and French were unable to hold back 
the overwhelming forces the enemy threw against them. Position after posi- 
tion, fought for and held 
for years, was given up 
to the desperate Ger- 
mans. 

In this crisis. Gen- 
eral Foch was put in su- 
preme command of all 
the allied forces. Gen- 
eral Pershing pledged 
the support of all avail- 
able troops to General 
Foch, but before exten- 
sive use of the Ameri- 
cans became necessary 
the drive was checked. 
When at last they were 
halted the Germans had 
made an ad v a n c e of 
thirty-five miles and 
were within gunshot of 
Amiens. A second drive, 
about Ypres, was not 
stopped until the Ger- 
mans had gained ten 
miles. 

The British navy, 

on April 23, performed 

one of the most gallant 

and spectacular feats of 

the war by blocking the 

German submarine base ' '"'""""' *^ ' "'""°°' 

at Zeebrugee '^^^ christian conqueror in Jerusalem 

^^ ■ General Allenby, like the crusaders of the Middle Ages, entered 

On May 27, the the city on foot. 











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36 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




(P) International News Service 



THE CLOTH HALL AT YPRES 

As it looked at the moment the flames burst forth from the tower. 

enemy begar. a third offensive on the Aisne-Marne front, in the thirty-mile 
sector between Soissons and Rheims. The Germans swept irresistibly for- 
ward, taking the Chemin des Dames, crossing the Vesle at Plsmes and then 
gaining a foothold beyond the Aisne. American troops in their first inde- 
pendent action of any importance, captured the town of Cantigny as the 
German drive began, but their victory was dwarfed by the extent of enemy 
gains elsewhere. 

By May 31 the advancing Germans had reached Chateau-Thierry, on 




THE CLOTH HALL AT YPRES AFTER THE FIRE 



WORLD DOMINION THE STAKE 



37 



the Marne. only forty miles from Paris. There, however, they were checked 
by French and American troops. 

Elsewhere along the salient formed by their advance the Germans made 
small gains in the days following, but they could not advance at Chateau- 
Thierry, where the point of their wedge rested. An attack delivered on June 
2 was sharply repulsed, and on June 6 American marines and regulars who had 
been rushed to this sector gained two miles on a two and one-half mile front. 
This drive marked the beginning of American cooperation on a large scale. 
President Wilson announced on July 2, in commenting on the capture of 




A BRITISH OUTPOST IN THE YPRES SALIENT 

Vaux by American troops the day before, that the forces of the United States 
in France numbered more than 1,000,000 men. 

On July 15 the Germans made a last attempt to break the line at 
Chateau-Thierry. They succeeded in crossing the Marne but were promptly 
driven back. 

Three days later the French and Americans bunched all along the Aisne- 
Marne front a counter-offensive which was to continue, almost without pause, 
until the end of hostilities. The salient formed by the German drive to the 
Marne was rapidly cleared. On July 27 and 28 the Allies crossed the Ourcq 
River, with the Germans in full retreat toward the Vesle. 

Soissons was captured by the Allies on August 2, after important gains 



38 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



north of the Ourcq, and 
three days later Ameri- 
can patrols crossed the 
Vesle at many points in 
pursuit of the flying 
enemy. The river was 
crossed in force on Au- 
gust 7. 

The next day Field 
Marshal Haig, assisted 
by two xA.merican divi- 
sions, began a drive in 
Picardy, penetrating the 
German lines to a dis- 
tance of fourteen miles, 
Peronne, a hotly con- 
tested strategic point, was captured by the Australians on September i, and 
British and Americans, fighting side by side in Flanders, drove the Germans 
back to the Hindenburg Line. 

American forces cleared the famous St. Mihiel salient in an offensive 
which started September 12 and continued through the following day. They 
liberated more than 150 square miles of French territory, which had been in 





^^^ 




■ w^ -w .' < m 







"ZUTRITT VERBOTEN" 
Thus read the German inscription in the outskirts of Peronne. 
The Allies, with characteristic humor, left the sign but took 
the town. 




THE AMERICANS WERE NOT ALONE AT ClIA'l'EAU THIERRY 

'At the Marne," said the French, "we shall stop them " And at (he Marne (he (.'.ernians stopped. 



WORLD DOMINION THE STAKE 



39 



the hands of the Ger- 
mans since 19 14. 

Meanwhile other 
armies of the Alhes had 
been winning victories in 
distant fields. In far- 
away Palestine the Brit- 
ish forces under Genera] 
Allenby captured Naza 
reth on September 20. 
The combined British, 
Greek, Serbian, Italian 
and French forces in tlie 
Balkans had the Bulga- 
rian armies in flight, 
foreshadowing their sur- 
render on September 29. 

On September 26 the American armies began along the Meuse-Argonne 
front an offensive which was to be the last and greatest battle of the war. The 
initial attack of the First Army penetrated the German lines west of the 
Meuse to a depth of seven miles on a twenty-mile front. The drive was re- 
lentlessly continued next day, while the Belgians, in a spirited attack from 
Ypres to the North Sea, were forcing the Germans back four miles. The 
French, striking in their sector, captured St. Quentin, a cornerstone of the 
Hindenburg Line, on October i and 2. In the Meuse-Argonne offensive, con- 




THE EVIDENCES OF WAR 
A ruined factory in St. Quentin. 




ON THE ANCRF, RIVER, WHERE THE BRITTSH ADVANCED IN MIDSUMMER OF 1918 



40 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



tinuing to the very last days of the war, all units of the Thirty-third Divi- 
sion played a conspicuous part. 

The German government, foreseeing the end, asked President Wilson on 
October 5 to use his influence with the Allies in an effort to have an armistice 
declared. The President replied three days later by asking whether the 
chancellor. Prince Maximilian of Baden, spoke for the people or for the war- 
lords of Germany. He insisted that the United States could treat only with 
representatives of the people. While the diplomats argued, the American 
army continued to advance in the great Meuse-Argonne campaign. By the 
middle of October Grand Pre, St. Juvin, Romagne and other important points 




ON THE WAY TO SEDAN 
The Aisne at Vouzicrs, which was retaken by the French in the last week of the war. 

had been taken by the Americans, and farther north their French. British and 
Belgian allies were pressing steadily forward. Ostend, the German submarine 
base, was taken on October 17 by a concerted action of land and sea forces, 
made possible by continued advances of Belgian and British troops. Bruges 
and Zeebrugge were captured two days later. 

The Germans now made another request for an armistice, and were re- 
ferred by President Wilson to Marshal Foch for the allied terms. By this 
time it was evident that the enemy must choose between surrender and over- 
whelming defeat, for the German line was crumbling everywhere. 

On October 25 the Italians, not to be outdone by their allies, began a 
terrific driyej,.wjii<;h, resu%,(i„in the capture, of .5,0.000 prisoners in fiv^.d^ys. 



WORLD DOMINION THE STAKE 



41 



The first days of November will ever be glorious in the annals of Ameri- 
can arms. While the great armies under General Pershing were sweeping for- 
ward on a fifty-mile front about Verdun, with the enemy in full retreat, Aus- 
tria surrendered, signing an armistice after the Italians had captured 500,000 
prisoners and put the Austro-German forces to rout. 

By November 4 the American troops had advanced beyond Stenay and 
were preparing to strike at Sedan. At the same time other forces of the 
Allies captured the great fortress of Maubeuge, and the Canadians, advanc- 
ing irresistibly, took Mons. It was the end. Broken on all fronts, facing an- 
nihilation, Germany had no choice. On November 11 the war lords sur- 
rendered. At II a. m. that day the fighting ceased. The greatest and most 
terrible of all wars was ended. 




MARSHAL FOCH'S TRAIN ARRIVES AT COMPIEGNE 

At the little village of Rethondes, near Compiegne, the armistice was signed in this car, a dining 

car, number 2419-D. 

The signing of the armistice agreement, however, did not bring peace to 
the nations that had forced the war upon the world. Germany and Austria- 
Hungary both were in the throes of revolution. Their armies crushed, the 
people of both nations had arisen against the rulers whom they had blindly 
followed while they still held hope for m.ilitary success. 

The fate of the crowned heads of the defeated powers was forecast on 
November 7 when the Bavarian Diet deposed King Ludwig and proclaimed 
a republic. Emperor William II of Germany bowed before the inevitable. On 
November 9, as the final negotiations for an armistice were in progress, he 
abdicated and sought refuge in Holland. The abdication of Emperor Charles 
of Austria was announced on the 12th, and twenty-four hours later the re- 
maining German princes and kings were fleeing from their capitals. 



42 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Representatives of the allied and associated governments met in Paris 
on November 15 to discuss preliminaries to the peace conference and arrange 
for formal consideration of the terms to be offered the enemy. Premier Cle- 
menceau, as spokesman for the Allies' representatives, announced that Presi- 
dent Wilson would be asked to participate in the final conferences, and on 
November 18 the President agreed to go to Paris. 

While the allied armies were marching toward the German border to 
maintain order and enforce the provisions of the armistice agreement, the 
political upheaval in Germany and Austria continued. In Germany a mod- 




PROCLAMATION OF THE GERMAN REPUBLIC 
In the shadow of Bismarck's statue, the great Reichstag building in the background, Karl Liebknecht, 

a Socialist, proclaimed the republic. 

erate group gradually gained control and a republic, headed by Friedrich 
Ebert, came into being. Although formed on November 10, the provisional 
government did not establish itself definitely until November 28, when the 
Liebknecht group of extremists was beaten in decisive fights in the streets of 
Berlin. The next day the new government asked for and received the formal 
abdications of the kaiser and the crown prince. 

The peace delegates decided on the last day of November to hold the 
conference in Paris and Versailles. Premier Clemenceau and Marshal Foch, 
with Premier Orlando and Foreign Minister Sonino of Italy, went to London 
December i to discuss peace problems with British leaders, and four days 
later President Wilson sailed from New York with the other American 
delegates. 



44 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



The President was welcomed to Europe with tremendous ovations. He 
was hailed everywhere as the representative of the nation whose strength had 
tipped the balance and given victory to the Allies. 

Preliminary conferences between allied leaders and meetings of a su- 
preme council, representing the nations that had borne the burden of the 
war, occupied the time of the delegates until January i8, when the first ses- 
sion of the peace congress was held. 

Premier Clemenceau was elected president of the congress, which at 
once began its deliberations. For nearly five months the congress studied, 
debated and recast peace proposals. On May 7 the terms were communi- 




THE AMERICAN PEACE COMMISSIONERS 

Left to right: Colonel Edward M. House, Secretary of State Robert Lansing, President Wilson, 

Henry White, and Major General Tasker H. Bliss. 



cated to the German delegates who had been summoned to Paris. The 
enemy's representatives demurred at first and counter proposals were offered. 
The Allies, however, were firm and few changes were made. 

On June 28, in the famous Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, where the Ger- 
man empire had been born amid the wreckage of France almost fifty years 
before, the treaty of peace was signed. Before a gathering in which almost 
every nation in the world was represented, the German delegates affixed their 
signatures to the treaty which defined their utter defeat. 

Although the treaty was not to become wholly operative until ratified by 
the signatory powers, June 28 really marked the end of the World War. When 
the last German delegate had signed, the defeat of imperialism was complete, 
and the American mission in Europe was ended. 




U. S. A. NUMBER ONE 

The first piece of heavy artillery used by the Americans on tlie Lorraine front. 

America Turns the Tide 

By Junius B. Wood 

Accredited Correspondent with the American Expeditionary Forces in France 




were national guardsmen on 
teen months later, it had a 



ME RICA'S part in the war was as much 
•yr. an achievement of the swift as of the 

y V y strong, and, measuring the magnitude 

of the United States' contribution to 
that result, one must recognize the con- 
ditions that confronted the nation when 
its declaration of a state of war threw it 
unprepared into the conflict. 

Looking back to the situation in the 
spring of 1917, one feels that the Central 
powers had some warrant for their be- 
lief that it would be many months before 
the United States could put an effective 
force into the field and that before those 
months passed the war might be ended. 

On April i, 191 7, the American 
army had a strength of 189,964 officers 
and men, of whom more than one-third 
border patrol service. On November i, 1918, nine- 
strength of 3,634,000. The sea forces when war 

46 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



47 




J 




1 


1 

1193 



m 
UniTED5TATE5 

AMD 

possessions 



was declared had a strength around 100,000 officers and men, of whom 69,046 
were in the navy, 13,692 in the marine corps and the remainder in the naval 
reserve, naval militia and coast guard. When the armistice was signed their 
strength was 600,000, more than in all the navies of the world in 19 14. In 
these few months the United States had mobilized nearly four and a half 
million fighting men. Such an accomplishment is unequaled in history. 

These men had to be clothed, fed and housed. Most of them had never 
handled a firearm. Some, though eager to fight for the United States, their 
adopted country of freedom, could not speak the English language. They 
had not only to be drilled 
in the rudiments of mili- 
tary organization but 
taught how to handle all 
the complicated devices 
of modern warfare. More 
than all that, it was nec- 
essary to transport these 
men, their supplies and 
equipment, across the 
ocean to where they were 
going to fight. Marine 
docks, many miles of 
railroads, machinery and 
rolling stock, immense 
ice plants and storage 
warehouses, machine and 
ordnance repair shops, 
hospitals and hundreds 
of other permanent in- 
stallations were built in 
France. 

Practically all was growth of the American army 

transported from the By thousands of soldiers on the first of each month ; showing 
United States. We sent the steady, uninterrupted growth. 

2.053,347 men and 7,- 

500,000 tons of supplies overseas. It cost the government at a rate of more 
than $1,000,000 an hour, or $21,850,000,000 for the two years, of which 64 per 
cent went for the army. 

Under the first selective service law, all men between the ages of 2 1 and 
30 years were registered on June 5, 191 7, and a subsequent act extended the 
age limits so that on September 12, 191 8, all between the ages of 18 and 45 
years were enrolled as possible soldiers. In all 24,234,021 m.en, or 48 per 
cent of the nation's male population, were listed, of whom 2,810,296 passed 
the various physical, mental and medical examinations and were mustered into 
the service. More would have been mustered in if they had been needed. 



I americau I 

EXPEDITIQflARY 
I rORCES I 



1319 



48 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




THE GREATEST LOTTERY IN HISTORY 

Secretary of War Baker drawing; the first number, 258, in the 

first draft, July 20, 1Q17. 



These 2,810.296 
were at first called na- 
tional army troops. They 
comprised about 77 per 
cent of the army, the na- 
tional guard amounted to 
10 per cent and the regu- 
lar army, increased by 
volunteers, to 13 per 
cent. Once they were in 
the all-equalizing uni- 
form, there was no dif- 
ference either in effi- 
ciency or courage be- 
tween the drafted sol- 
dier of the national army 
and his volunteer com- 
rades. National army 
men brought up the na- 
tional guard divisions to 
full strength in the 
training camps at home, and they were the replacements which filled the gaps 
in all divisions caused by the losses in fighting or campaigning in Europe. At 
the time of the armistice some of the so-called regular army units were 80 
per cent national army men, and many of the national guard units more than 
50 per cent. 

Getting officers for this great growing army was another task. Of more than 
200,000 officers commissioned, only 
one-sixth had had any military ex- 
perience prior to the war. Half of 
these had received that experience 
as enlisted men, and of the remain- 
der officers of the national guard 
outnumbered regular army officers 
two to one. Officers' training camps 
furnished half of the new officers. 
The remaining one-third came di- 
rectly from civil life. 

The navy was first to carry the 
stars and stripes actively into the 
war zone, the first American destroy- 
ers arriving in British waters for 
duty on May 4. For the army Gen- 
eral John J. Pershing, then a major- 
general, was ordered on INIay 18 to 



6,000 




SOURCES OF COMMISSIONED 
PERSONNEL 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



4Q 




GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING 
Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in France. 



so 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




FERRYING AN ARMY 

The George Washington leading one of the many convoys which 

crossed and recrossed the Atlantic. 



proceed to France with 
a division of regulars. 
He arrived with his staff 
in London June 8, and 
on the same day loo 
American aviators landed 
in France. The com- 
mander-in-chief reached 
France five days later, 
and on June 27 the First 
Division, the first com- 
batant unit to leave and 
the last to return to the 
United States, began to 
disembark at the French 
seaport of St. Nazaire. 
Three regiments of 
engineers, two of which were immediately assigned to active duty with the Brit- 
ish and the other, the Thirteenth, with the French, six hospital units which went 
to the British front, and hundreds of officers for training or detached service, 
followed at brief intervals. The First Division was made up largely of raw 
recruits, some of whom had never handled a rifle before their arrival in France. 
The arrival of the division, however, had an immense effect on the morale of 
the Allies. It was assurance that America was going to fight. 

By the end of 191 7 we had landed only 194,000 men and 473,000 tons of 
cargo in France. This was due largely to lack of ships. For every troop- 
ship that crossed, a con- 
tinuous line of cargo 
ships carrying supplies 
was necessary. On July 
I, 191 7, the American 
trans-Atlantic fleet to- 
taled 94,000 tons. At 
the end of 1918 it had 
reached 3,248,000 tons. 
The figures for 191 7 are 
striking in comparison 
with later months. In 
July, 191 8, there were 
306,350 men transported 
to France and in Novem- 
ber 829,000 tons of cargo 
were carried across. 

T,r, ,, , , PERSHING'S LANDING IN FRANCE 

When the war was ended „ , ,, ^ ■ u- t a u- fow ^f fifu, 

, On June 13, 1017, the commander m chief and his statt ot iitty- 

the men were returned seven officers, heralds of millions, arrived at Boulogne. 




AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



51 



on our own ships but British ships carried half of them on the eastbound 
voyages. 

Besides the First, four divisions arrived in France in 191 7. Three of them, 
the Forty-second, the Twenty-sixth and the Forty-first were national guard 
units, and one, the Second, included a brigade of Marines. All went into 
training under seasoned French troops. British officers and noncommissioned 
men also visited them to teach specialized subjects, and American officers 
were taken to different parts of the front or to schools of the allied armies. In 




LAFAYETTE, WE ARE HERE 

This was America's messajre to France on September 6, 1017, the i6oth anniversary of 
Lafayette's birth, delivered at his grave by General Pershing. At the extreme left is Brand Whit- 
lock, American minister to Belgium, and in the right foreground Marshal Joffre is applauding. 



these months thirty-seven other divisions were organized in the training camps 
in America, the first contingents of the national arm}' becoming available Sep- 
tember 5. All of these units ultimately reached Europe, most of them going 
directly to the front a few weeks after arrival. 

Though divisions that reached France later made the steps faster, all fol- 
lowed the routine of the first five — some weeks in a rural training area, then 
a gradual taking over of the trenches on a quiet sector of the front and finally 
a plunge into the thick of battle and almost continuous fighting. The fresh 



52 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



young American troops 
were always put into a 
spot where the fighting 
was hardest. The inten- 
sive training which the 
Americans received hard- 
ened their bodies to 
stand the rigors of 
weather and the scars of 
weapons. The war- 
weary troops of the Al- 
hes, on the contrary, 
had lost their striking 
power. They had the 
stamina and courage to 
fight a defensive, but 
they did not have the 
strength to launch an 
offensive. This situation 
was conclusively proved 
by the German offen- 
sives of 191 S, which routed the sixth French and fifth British armies until 
they were halted with the assistance of fresh American units. 

At the time little was said of the constant insistence by the Allies that 
the American troops be amalgamated with their units. Needing only men. 
not officers, our Allies had a plan of absorbing our soldiers as replacements. 
The American army would not have been an army at all, but a reservoir for 
the European armies. Even after the first and second American armies had 
proved their worth the plan was not given up, and at the time of the armis- 




HITTING THE HAY 

Few and far between were billets as soft as this, at 
Nanteuil-les-Meaux. 




GRAVES OF THE THREE FIRST AMERICANS KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE 
The men were Thomas Enri^ht, Merle D. Hay and James B. Gresham. 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



53 



tice representatives of these governments were using their influence to put 
the plan through in 19 19. The defeat of this plan, largely through General 
Pershing's influence, was as noteworthy an achievement as his insistence that 
all the forces of the Allies be placed under a single supreme command. 

The first stage of training completed, on the raw, rainy night of October 
21 the First Division marched to a quiet sector on the front east of Lune- 
ville. The American regiments were alternated with French regiments and 
the French retained command of the sector. At last Americans were within 
range of the guns. A German raiding party visited the men of the First 
Division on the night of November 3, killing three and capturing eleven pris- 




"LET ME AT 'EM" 
First Division men preparing for action. 

oners. Though Americans had been killed in an airplane raid on one of the 
hospitals on the British front two months earlier, these were the first losses 
the nation had suffered in fighting on land. 

On January iQ, 191 8, the same division, which in the meantime had had 
a few weeks' rest in its training area, took over a more lively sector north of 
Toul. This time it held the sector alone and American officers were in com- 
mand. From that date the length of the front which the Americans held 
increased continuously, until at the time of the armistice they were holding 22 
per cent, with the British holding 19 per cent and the French the remainder, 
though much of the French front was in quiet sectors. 

A few weeks later the Twenty-sixth, Forty-second and Second were 
starting their training at the front. The Forty-first Division never reached 
the front as a unit. Its men and officers were used as replacements to fill 
the gaps made in the other four divisions of this first group. Under this 



54 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



policy, dictated by mili- 
tary reasons, ten other 
divisions were broken up 
during the fighting. 

Trench raids, per- 
sistent shelling, gas at- 
tacks and sudden liven- 
ing up of sectors that 
had been inactive for 
years constituted the re- 
ception which the enemy 
always gave the new 
American troops. 

Early in the spring 

of 1 91 8 it was apparent 

that the Allied powers 

and America had the re- 

the sources and men to win 

the war. It is from that 

critical period that one 

now gets the best perspective of what America had accomplished in the few 

months of preparation which preceded and what it achieved in the unbroken 

march to victory through the months which followed. 

Germany realized the crisis possibly more clearly than any other nation. 




"MILITARY INTELLIGENCE" 
Secretary Baker and Major General McAndrew watchin 
examination of a German prisoner. 




ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERY IN ACTION 

Men of the Second Division, near Montreuil-aux-Lions. 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



55 



She knew that the limit in man 
power had been reached by the Cen- 
tral powers and that internal condi- 
tions in those countries were close 
to the breaking point. By a few 
quick, vigorous drives before Amer- 
ica's strength could count she might 
win. They were attempted. How 
close she came to winning few in 
America realize even to-day. These 
frantic blows brought dismay to 
every home in the allied nations, for 
it was not known then that they were 
the dying struggles of imperialism. 
These were among the darkest days 
of the war for the Allies. Only the 
strength of America saved them, a 
strength which was greater and more 
swiftly developed than they or the 
enemy had considered possible. 

The Somme offensive, the first 




MARSHAL FOCH AND GENERAL PERSHING 

At the latter's headquarters, at Chaumont. 



of the five great German drives of 1918, was started March 21 in a desperate 
attempt to win the war before the American forces could turn the tide. Amer- 
ican engineering regiments, medical officers and air units, all-told about 2,200 
men, did valiant service with the British in resisting this drive. Though the 
enemy swept through on a fifty-mile front across the old Somme battlefield 




THE RUINS OF CANTIGNY 

As the shell wrecked villase looked after the Americans took it, on May 28, 191S, 



56 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS IN ACTION 
These Signal Corps photographers are changing films under 
fire, while an infantry regiment in the background is going 
into action. 



and beyond Montdidier 
and Noyon, he was 
stopped, April 6, within 
twelve miles of Amiens, 
the important railroad 
center which was his 
principal goal. He struck 
again, farther north on 
the Lys river, April 9, 
making a seventeen mile 
advance in eighteen days. 
A few American medical 
and air units were with 
the British in this de- 
fense. 

One of the impor- 
tant decisions of the war 
was made on March 28 
when General Pershing placed all the American forces at the disposal of Mar- 
shal Foch, who had been selected as commander of the allied armies. The 
Allies' command at that time planned a drive north of Montdidier to win 
back the ground that the Germans had captured in the Somme offensive and 
relieve the pressure towards Paris. It was agreed that the First Division 
should be the striking wedge for this drive and it was moved across France, 
going into the line in Picardy on April 26. This offensive never materialized, 
nor was it generally 
known that it had been 
planned. The German 
Aisne offensive started 
before it could be 
launched. 

On May 27 the en- 
emy attacked along the 
long front between Reims 
and Noyon, striking the 
French a terrific blow 
along the Chemin cies 
Dames. The one bright 
spot for the Allies in the 
dark week which fol- 
lowed was the brilliant 
action of the First Amer- 
ican Division in captur- 

C t- M -yp, ^ WINTER IDYLL 

^^ " "^ y ~ ' But five minutes after the picture was snapped, a shell blotted 

Though It made only a out this post at Badonviller. 




AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 57 




WINDSOR CASTLE. 







yt^vx^ /y/s. 



THE MESSAGE RECEIVED BY EVERY AMERICAN SOLDIER WHO LAxVDED IN THE 

BRITISH ISLES 



58 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



trifling cliange in the 
battle map of Europe it 
served to distract atten- 
tion from the enemy's 
sweeping progress across 
the Aisne, Vesle and 
Ourcq to the Marne val- 
ley. It also was the 
last action in which a 
division of Americans 
functioned alone. After 
that their number was 
sufficient for them to op- 
erate in groups. 

While the terri- 
tory occupied by the 
Germans in the Aisne of- 
fensive was not so large as in that of the Somme, the advance was more rapid. 
Russia was out of the war, and the fighting on the Italian front after the losses 
of the previous fall was practically at a standstill. Austrian troops from the 




IN THE STREETS OF CHATEAU THIERRY 

Men of Company A, Seventh Machine Gun Battalion, with the 

enemy one hundred yards away. 




RUINS OF THE STONE BRIDGE AT CHATEAU THIERRY 
Where the Seventh Machme Gun Battalion for three days and nights continuously fought off 

the German columns. 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



59 



Italian front and others from the Russian front were arriving to oppose the 
French and British. Long range guns were shelling Paris daily and airplane 
raids were of almost nightly occurrence. Soissons and many smaller cities, 
as well as many square miles of farming country which the Germans had not 
occupied since the first months of the war, were again in their possession. 
Chateau-Thierry had been reached on May 31, and it seemed a question only 
of days, possibly hours, before the victorious foe would cross the Marne and 
bring his ordinary army artillery within shelling distance of Paris. 




CLEMENCEAU CONGRATULATES THE AMERICANS 

On June 30, 1018, Clemenceau vis'ted the front in order to congratulate the American leaders. 
Major General Rundy, commanding: the Second Division, stands next to Clemenceau (with the 
cane). Colonel F^dvvard L. Kin?, later commander of the Sixty-fifth Brigade, Thirty-third Division, 
is third from the left end. 



In this crisis the Americans were able to turn the tide. The Second 
Division had been in a rest area around Gisors under orders to relieve the 
First which still was holding the Cantigny front. On the night it was to start 
the orders were countermanded," and before daylight several thousand French 
trucks, driven by Indo-Chinese, rolled into the area. On these the division 
was entrained and started around Paris toward the Marne front. The only 
orders which the Second Division had were to go to Meaux, but the men 
knew that this sudden expenditure of precious gasoline meant serious work 
ahead. The Third Division suddenly moved from its training area toward 
the same point. On a smaller scale the movement of a French army in the 
first battle of the Marne in T0T4, when it encircled Paris, was repeated. 



6o 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



The Second Division 
reached Meaux on June 
I. The Fourth Infantry 
Brigade, composed of 
marines, and the Second 
Artillery Brigade were 
marched immediately to 
meet the advancing Ger- 
mans on the front a few 
miles distant. At the 
same time the Seventh 
Machine Gun Battalion 
and other units of the 
Third Division joined 
the French in the street 
fighting in Chateau-Thi- 
erry, but were quickly 
driven to the south bank 
of the Marne by the 
fierceness of the German 
bombardment. Blowing 
up the stone bridge 
behind them, for more than a month they held the enemy in the north half of 
Chateau-Thierry, the battling forces separated only by the narrow stream. 
Several scattered companies of the Twenty-eighth Division, in training in a 
supposedly quiet sector west of the city, also were caught in the advance and 
fought until they were practically annihilated. 




RAINBOW SNIPERS 

Sharpshooters of the Forty-second Division pickin 
mans at Viliers, durinp; the operations against 
salient. 



off Ger- 

the Marne 




ASK ANY DOUGHBOY 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



6i 



The enemy held the rocky Bel- 
leau Wood and was advancing down 
the national highway running from 
Chateau-Thierry to Paris. He had 
reached the heights beyond Hill 204 
and the village of Vaux. On June 2 
the marines were on a front extend- 
ing from this highway across Bel- 
leau Wood to Bouresches. The en- 
emy's advance along the road was 
stopped at Le Thiolet farm. There 
were many days of stubborn and 
bloody fighting before the marines 
drove the enemy from Belleau 
Wood, the other brigade of the Sec- 
ond Division captured Vaux and the 
French again held Hill 204. The 
Germans' Aisne offensive, however, 
was stopped on June 5. 

These American troops, a mere 
handful compared to the French and 
British, who also were stubbornly 
fighting, played a tremendous part, 
out of all proportion to their num- 




THE CATHEDRAL AT hOlbbONb 

A hollow shell, but still a tlung of beauty, it lives 

to tell a stoiy. 




WOUNDED AND PRISONERS. BUT NOT UNHAPPY 

An American first-aid station for German prisoners, near Soissons. The prisoners were being cared 
for by a captured German doctor, whose bare head is just visible near the doorway. 



62 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



bers, in bringing the enemy to a halt. Many consider the few days' lighting 
at this point the turning point of the war. The Americans' fresh strength 
was thrown in at a time when the German strength seemed irresistible. They 
were at a strategic point which it was necessary for the enemy to break if he 
was to continue his advance along the remainder of his long front. The enemy 
was not only halted but was slightly repulsed. The effect was electrical on the 
entire line of the Allies, which braced and held from then on. 

Two more German offensives were to come. One, between Noyon and 
Montdidier, was started immediately, June 9. In six days' fighting only a 




BRINGING IN THE WOUNDED NEAR SOISSONS 

Trucks which carried ammunition to the front return with wounded men of the First Division. 

slight advance was made. The First Division, which had been seven weeks 
in line, met the west flank of the enemy in this drive and was not budged. 
After that came a month of comparative quiet. 

From a military standpoint the German offensives had produced a situa- 
tion favorable to the American style and spirit of frghting. The enemy was 
out of the underground system which he had been years in building, entrench- 
ments of steel and concrete stretching across France and Belgium from the 
Alps to the North Sea. He was obliged to meet the Americans in open war- 
fare with only hastily dug foxholes and the irregularities of nature for pro- 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



63 



tection. However, no 
soldiers know better than 
the Germans how to de- 
fend these vantage points 
with machine guns, and 
their artillery had an un- 
canny accuracy. When 
the changing front again 
reached the trenches, the 
enemy had lost his power 
to hold them against the 
victory-flushed Ameri- 
cans and Allies. 

Meanwhile Ameri- 
can soldiers were enter- 
ing the conflict at another point. An event of considerable importance was the 
agreement of the British on May 2 to transport ten divisions from the United 
States for training on their front. The first of these units arrived that month, 
and were immediately transported to the British sector in the north; one of 
these divisions was the Thirty-third, made up of the Illinois national guard. 




INFANTRY ADVANCING IN COMBAT FORMATION 

A machine-sun crew of the 114th entering St. Leger Woods 

in combat formation. 




THE AMERICANS, TOO, HAD GRE./VT DUGOUTS 

Entrance to a cave of the days of Clovis, which was Thirty-second Division 

headquarters at Juvisny. 



64 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



They were generously 
aided by the British, not 
only in training but in 
equipment. The Twen- 
ty-seventh and Thirtieth 
Divisions fought with the 
British until the armi- 
stice. The others were 
moved to other parts of 
the front. The organiza- 
tion of the First Ameri- 
can Army and the taking 
over of an extended part 
of the front made it ad- 
visable to put as many 
divisions as possible di- 
rectly under American 
command. 
Of the troops drilled in the north four infantry companies of the Thirty- 
third Division assisted the Australians in the capture of Hamel on July 4, an 
operation historically significant because of the day on which it took place 
and because it was the first time in the war that British and American troops 
fought side by side. When the British Somme offensive was started August 
8, a regiment of this division, the 131st, won the first success in breaking the 




TANKS MOVING TO THE FRONT 

To support the French troops who operated on the left of the 
Thirty-second Division at Juvigny. 




A CAPTURED GERMAN AMMUNITION DUMP 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



65 



German line at Chipilly Ridge and Gressaire Wood. Other American divi- 
sions were trained in the quiet sectors of the Vosges. 

The fifth and last German drive was expected just where it struck — east 
of Reims and along the whole arc of the saHent bulging south to the Marne 
between Reims and Soissons. In anticipation of the attack the civilian popu- 
lation was evacuated from the country between Ste. Menehould and Epernay 
and artillery was massed to repel the advance. A few hours before the German 
artillery preparation was to start a French raiding party captured several 
prisoners and secured the information that the infantry was then being assem- 
bled preparatory to an attack at dawn. The Allies' artillery was immediately 




THEY TRIED TO STOP THE AMERICAN ADVANCE 

A slightly sunken road used by the Germans as a trench, at Missy-aux-Bois. 



ordered into action and it decimated the attacking forces before they started,, 
The attack, however, was made according to schedule, July 15. 

Regiments of the Ninety-third Division which were attached to French 
divisions, also the Forty-second, Twenty-eighth and Third Divisions were in 
the fighting. The Forty-second Division held its ground near Reims while^the 
Third just east of Chateau-Thierry met some of the most bitter fighting "of 
the offensive. One regiment of this division — the Thirty-eighth — was sur- 
rounded for several hours by two German divisions, which had succeeded in 
crossing the Marne and driving back its supports on either side. It not only 
held its ground but repulsed the enemy. : 

Before this engagement had run its course, the Allies launched the first of 
the great offensives which continued almost without interruption until the 
armistice was signed. Marshal Foch on July 18 began his drive against the 




REIMS CATHEDRAL 

Battered by shells, but still magnificent. Only a closer view reveals the terrible damage — the 
shattered glass, the broken figures and crumpled columns. 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



67 




northern half of this same 
saHent. The First and 
Second Divisions, with a 
French Moroccan divi- 
sion between them, were 
the driving wedge, at- 
tacking directly west of 
Soissons. So quickly and 
quietly had the Allies' 
preparations been made 
that the Americans were 
obliged to run to reach 
the jumping-off line be- 
fore the time the attack 
was scheduled to start. 
In five days of fierce 
fighting these two divi- 
sions, before they were 
relieved by the Scotch 
and English, reached the 
heights above Soissons, 
capturing more than THE five German offensives OF 1918 

seven thousand prisoners and one hundred pieces of artillery. 

Half of the men in these divisions were casualties as a result of the few 
da3^s of fighting. Some of the regiments had no machine guns, one pounders 
or grenades, but fought only with the rifle and bayonet. However, they pene- 
trated so far into the enemy's line at a point where he thought it impregnable 

that he was forced to 
evacuate the entire 
salient. Developments at 
the Chateau - Thierry 
point of the salient ac- 
celerated his movement. 
The Twenty-sixth 
Division was in the Bel- 
leau Wood sector west of 
Chateau-Thierry and the 
Third Division was east 
of the city, with the 
]\Iarne between it and 
the heights of Jaulgonne. 
They advanced, the en- 
emy resisting stubbornly 

REIMS CATHEDRAL: A DETAIL OF THE NAVE ^" ^"^ ^^ those rear 

Showing the effects of bombardment. guard aCtlOUS With whlCh 




68 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



the Americans became so 
familiar as the war con- 
tinued. Chateau-Thierry 
was occupied July 20, 
the first French city to 
be recaptured that year, 
and rail communication 
between Paris and north- 
eastern France thus was 
restored. 

The Fourth Divi- 
sion joined in the fighting 
on the left of the Twen- 
ty-sixth. The Twenty- 
sixth and the Third Divi- 
sions were relieved by 
the Forty-second and the 
Thirty-second just as the 
Germans made a stand to prevent their retreat from becoming a rout. The 
two fresh divisions met bitter resistance but succeeded in crossing the Ourcq 
and capturing Hill 230. The French by desperate fighting recaptured Soissons 
and the American Twenty-eighth and Seventy-seventh Divisions were in the 
line when the Allies crossed the Vesle and occupied the heights beyond. 




NOT A CUBIST PAINTING 

But the ruins of a lovely chateau on the Aisne 
a direct hit. 



-the result of 




HORSES AS WELL AS MEN DID THEIR SHARE 
An ammunition train struggling over a road blown up by the Germans. 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



69 



The offensive stopped on 
August 6. It had taken nineteen 
days with heavy loss of hfe on 
both sides and the destruction of 
milHons of dollars worth of prop- 
erty to win back a portion of 
what the Germans with slight 
losses had overrun in nine days 
before these American divisions 
were available. 

During the Aisne-Marne of- 
fensive the Americans functioned 
as corps for the first time, usu- 
ally three divisions to a corps. 
The expedition then had enough 
fighting divisions to organize an army of between 500,000 and 750,000 men. 
The great troop movement of midsummer from the States was in progress, 
and the forces of the Allies and the Americans now outnumbered the Germans. 

Before the first offensive was half over preparations were started for the 
first army operation. The Americans were to attempt the cutting off of the 
St. Mihiel salient which for four years had resisted all attacks. This was 
fifty miles of strongly entrenched front, a "hernia" as the French called it, 
twelve miles deep from its point at St. Mihiel to its thirty-mile base between 
Verdun on the west and Pont-a-Mousson on the east. 




ON THE WAY TO MONT SEC 
A tank ploughing its way over a trench. 




IN THE MAIN STREET OF SEICHEPREY 
On the right the city hall, as it appeared when the Americans held the town. They used the 

city hall as a dressing station. 



70 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



The Twenty-eighth, Thirty-second and Seventy-seventh Divisions re- 
mained on the \'esle until September to distract attention, if possible, from the 
withdrawal of the American troops. The attack was carefully prepared. The 
American tank corps, using French tanks, was brought up for the first time. 
The concentration of French, British and American artillery and airplanes 
was heavier than for any battle in history up to that time. 

The American divisions went into line the night before the attack. The 
First Division was opposite ]Mont Sec, that Gibraltar of the plams, with its 
miles of concrete tunnels and emplacements which the Americans had seen and 
marveled at from afar during their training days a few months before. In 




THE AMERICANS COME 

Streams of Americans pouring into the Saint MLhiel salient. In the foreground are machine gun- 
ners, who are crossing the route of a supply train. In the background looms Mont Sec. 

sequence along the south side of the salient to Pont-a-Mousson were the Forty- 
second, Eighty-ninth, Second, Fifth, Ninetieth and Eighty-second Divisions. 
The Twenty-sixth Division was on the north side of the salient opposite Les 
Eparges, against which the French had vainly battered in 191 6 with frightful 
loss of life. Farther north was the Fourth Division. The Seventy-eighth, 
Third, Thirty-fifth and Ninety-first Divisions were in reserve. The artillery 
bombardment started at i a. m. September 12. At 5 a. m. the infantry went 
over the top. After the first hour the attack was a race, punctuated only by 
German rear guard artillery fire. At 3 o'clock the following morning patrols 
of the First and Twenty-sixth Divisions met at Vigneulles, coming from oppo- 
site sides of the salient. In twentv-two hours the salient had been cut. 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



71 



The enemy had ex- 
pected the attack and 
had started to evacuate, 
burning the villages 
where he had lived and 
blowing up supplies. 
Some of the German sol- 
diers had their rolls 
packed waiting to sur- 
render, others fought un- 
til the end. The Ameri- 
cans had 7,000 casual- 
ties, inflicted nearly as 
many on the enemy, cap- 
tured 13,751 prisoners, 
443 guns and a consider- 
able amount of material 
and released thousands 
of French civilians who had been prisoners in their villages since 1914 

With the exception of the loss of the St. Mihiel salient the German front 
line across France was still no farther back than it had been in 1917. The 
Americans on this front were within a few miles of the fortified area of Metz, 
and long range guns could reach the German railroads. The American gun- 
ners refrained from firing on the fortress city out of deference to the French, 
who wanted the place unwrecked as a part of recovered Lorraine. The Briey 




CUTTING THE SAINT MIHIEL SALIENT 
A typical jam back of the advancing troops. 




THE BURNING OF THIAUCOURT 

The largest town taken by the Americans in the St. Mihiel salient. 



72 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



iron fields, chief mineral supply for the Central powers, also were threatened. 
For weeks it was expected that the American drive would continue in that 
direction. It was a menace which was never removed, though the drive did 
not start until the day before the armistice and after the American Second 
Army had been organized. 

With the successful attack at St. Mihiel all of the salients had been 
eliminated, considerably shortening the long western front, and the frontal 
attack of the Allies and Americans from the Meuse to the coast was starting. 
Leaving a few divisions to hold the new front east of Verdun, the remainder 




GETTING READY FOR THE JUMP-OFF IN THE ARGONNE 

Men of the 307th Infantry waiting for the order to advance. 



of the American army moved to the west of the Meuse back of a twenty-mile 
front between Verdun and the Argonne Forest. Hospitals, prison stockades 
and lines of communication, both rail and highway, had to be built and re- 
serves of ammunition and supplies brought up. It was realized that this would 
be the hardest and, if successful, perhaps the last offensive for the Americans 
to carry through. 

General Pershing and the American staff had won the Allies' command to 
a policy of striking quickly and continuously with the idea that though daily 
losses would be high, the final total would be no larger than from a slow and 
cautious advance and that it would be only a question of time before the 
Central powers, unable to stop for a breathing spell, would collapse. 

In no other part of the front did the enemy have such a strong system 
of entrenchments as opposite the Americans and in only one other spot, oppo- 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



73 



site the British, was his concentration of men so heavy. Three separate trench 
systems, covering practically all the country from the German front back to 
the border of France, faced the Americans. It was the hinge of the western 
front and for every mile that the enemy's line was forced back there he would 
be obliged to retire many miles on the front farther west. In the words of 
General Pershing, the task of the American army was to ''draw the best 
German divisions to our front and consume them." It was a costly opera- 
tion on both sides. 

The Americans took over the front from the French in the evening of 
September 25. From the Meuse westward, the Thirty-third, Eightieth, 




IN THE ARGONNE FOREST 

Men of the 308th Infantry in action with rifle grenades, near Abri de Crochet, October 31, igii 



Fourth, Seventy-ninth, Thirty-seventh, Ninety-first, Thirty-fifth, Twenty- 
eighth and Seventy-seventh Divisions were in line. The Third, Thirty-second, 
Ninety-second, First, Twenty-ninth and Eighty-second Divisions were in 
reserve. Before the offensive ended the Second, Fifth, Twenty-sixth, Forty- 
second, Seventy-eighth, Eighty-first, Eighty-ninth ani Ninetieth also were in 
the fighting. Several of the divisions were in line twice. Others were getting 
their first taste of fighting. 

The infantry attack in the Meuse-Argonne offensive started at daylight 
September 26. Battered by the artillery preparation, the Hindenburg Line, 
which had not been crossed in four years, was quickly penetrated by the 



74 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




Americans. In two days 
the attacking divisions 
made an advance averag- 
ing ten miles, occupying 
the Bois de Vauquois, 
Montfaucon and L e 
Mort Homme, then 
slowed up. 

The roads across 
No Man's Land and im- 
mediately behind the 
trenches on either side 
had not been used for 
years. Shells and time 
had worn them out of all semblance to highways, while they were cut by 
trenches and parapets of steel and concrete. Immense craters had been blown 
in them by French and German mines. Until they were rebuilt the artillery 
could not move forward to continue the advance, ammunition and supplies 
could not be brought up to the men at the front, and it took many hours for 
the ambulances to carry the wounded back. 

The enemy had the great advantage of good highways and railroads 
over which to rush in fresh troops for a counter attack. Back of the new 
American front thousands of engineering troops, colored and white, worked 



A GERMAN GUN AND ITS MASTER 

In the path of the American advance at Brancourt-le-Grand, 

near St. Quentin, October 8, 1918. 




THE END OF THE HINDENBURG LINE 

Negro pioneer troops cutting a road through concrete parapets which once formed part of the 

Hindenburg line. 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



75 




i J 4 S 



~!L 



Z9>h. engineers. USArtj 



THE MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE 
Showing the advance of each American division in line. 



76 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



day and night on the roads and laying miles of broad and narrow gauge rail- 
road track. Once this waste was bridged, progress would be more rapid. 

The second phase of the offensive started October 4. The enemy's 
counter attacks had failed and from now on he fought a desperate series of 
rearguard actions, taking advantage of every hill and wood for machine gun 
positions and using his artillery over the country of which he knew every 
crossroad. The American right flank crossed the Meuse and captured the 
heights on the east side of the river. Every day was one of desperate and 
bloody fighting replete with deeds of heroism. Famous German divisions 
were almost exterminated while green American replacements filled the gaps 
in our seasoned divisions. The Kriemliildc line of defenses was crossed and 
the enemy's morale was broken. 

Between October 23 and November i there was little action. The army 
gathered its strength for the third and final phase of the advance. It was 
irresistible. Some of the troops moved forward in motors while others, despite 
the greatest obstacles, fought their way across the turbid INIeuse, where the 
enemy was making his last stand. On November 7 Americans were on the 




AN INCIDENT OF THE ADVANCE IN THE ARGONNE 
An American heavy artillery piece overturned on a road to the front. 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



77 



bluffs overlooking Sedan, 
twenty-five miles from 
the starting point of the 
offensive. The railroad 
line supplying the Ger- 
man western front was 
within range of army ar- 
tillery and out of service. 
If the armistice had not 
stopped hostilities the 
surrender of half a mil- 
lion Germans would have 
been inevitable in a few 
more days. 

When the American 
Second Army was 
formed under Lieutenant 
General Robert L. Bul- 
lard, October lo. Gen- 
eral Pershing put Lieu- 
tenant General Hunter 
Liggett in command of 
the First Army. The 
Second Army launched 
the offensive towards 
Briey November lo, the 
day before the armistice. 

While the gigantic 
Meuse-Argonne o f f e n- 
sive, in which 1,200,000 
Americans were engaged, 
was m.onopolizing atten- 
tion at home, other units 
were fighting in the 

ranks of the Allies. The Twenty-seventh and Thirtieth Divisions, which had 
assisted the British in the recapture of Mt. Kemmel August 31, came in for 
severe fighting when they broke the Hindenburg Line and captured St. Quentin 
Canal on September 29. Later, between October 8 and 19, they were in 
heavy fighting at St. Souplet and on the Selle River. 

The Second and Thirty-sixth Divisions were sent on October 2 to assist 
the French in the relief of Reims and Laon. On the following day the Second 
Division captured Blanc Mont, a barren, heavily fortified cliff, the advance 
having been so rapid that the division overran all objectives by noon and was 
ordered to halt, only to be started forward again with unlimited objectives. 
The Thirty-sixth Division took over the line on October 10. 




ALVIN C. YORK 

Sergeant of the 328th Infantry and Second Elder of the Church 
of Christ, Pall Mall, Tennessee, who was awarded the Congres- 
sional Medal of Honor for one of the greatest feats of the war. 
In action near Chatel Chehery, October 8, 1918, after nine men 
of his detachment had been killed, York (then a corporal) took 
command, and leading the remaining seven men, charged a ma- 
chine-gun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon 
his platoon. Four German officers and 128 men were captured. 



78 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



In the latter part of October the Thirty-seventh and Ninety-first Divisions 
were hastily dispatched to assist the Belgians in Flanders. On November 3 
the former drove across the Escaut and the latter reached the Scheldt. An 
American regiment, the 332nd, was operating with the Italians in the victory 
of Vittorio-Veneto October 2 to November 4 and other forces were in Russia. 
The effectiveness of this assistance can be better realized when it is remem- 
bered that an American division equaled in size two divisions in other armies. 

On November 11 Germany signed the armistice terms and at 11 a. m. 
all hostilities ceased. The losses at that time among the 2,053,347 Americans 




ON THE BANKS OF THE MOSELLE 

Castle Cochem, one time headquarters of the Fourth Army Corps. 

who had been sent to Europe were: killed in battle or died of wounds, 50,327; 
died of disease, 58,073; died from other causes, 8,092. 

We had captured 44,000 prisoners, besides many guns and great quantities 
of supplies and munitions. It is probable that the exact figures of the Central 
powers' losses to the Americans will never be known. 

The American Third Army was organized after the armistice, taking 
divisions from the First and Second Armies, to proceed into Germany and 
occupy that country as far as the Rhine until the armistice terms should be 
complied with. Half of the Coblenz bridgehead and the country back to the 
French border, including Luxemburg, comprised the American sector of occu- 
pation. 




THE CAPITOL ON ARMISTICE NIGHT 



8o 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



As soon as the ar- 
mistice was signed, the 
homeward movement of 
American troops started, 
though it did not reach 
its greatest volume un- 
til the following summer. 
Great Britain and the 
other allied nations 
needed their ships, which 
had carried our men 
eastward, to return their 
own colonials to their 
homes and to revive their 
blighted mercantile ship- 
ping. After the home- 
w a r d movement had 
fairly started, the Ameri- 
can troops were returned 
faster on our new ships 
than they had been car- 
ried over with the aid of 
British shipping. 

Leaders of the ex- 
pedition quickly realized 
that something would 
have to be done to keep 
the soldiers of the Army 
of Occupation and the 
units awaiting transport 
busy and contented. 
Most of the soldiers, 
feeling that their task had been finished with the end of the war, were look- 
ing forward impatiently to discharge from the army, and it was evident that 
excessive drill would arouse a dangerous feeling of resentment. Drill periods 
were accordingly reduced and a tremendous program of education and recrea- 
tion was launched. 

Arrangements were made with the leading French universities, several 
universities in England and one in Scotland, to receive men of the expedition 
for six-months' courses. Every officer and man was eligible and those ap- 
pointed were allowed fixed expenses in addition to their regular pay. 

To extend the educational facilities open to men of the A. E. F., the army 
established a university of its own at Beaune, France, near the Swiss border. 
Several thousand men were matriculated for instruction by a staff recruited 
from the army and American universities. 



Divi- 
sion 


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1918 


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1917 


1918 



I I Organization to arrival in France 

F; ] Arrival in Franoe to entering line 

I ; ' ;| Bntering line to active hattlo service 

Bl Service as active com'bat division 

THE SERVICE RECORD OF THE AMERICAN ARMY 



AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



8i 



The army also en- 
couraged athletics. Com- 
petition in football, base- 
ball, track events, swim- 
ming, boxing, wrestling, 
tennis and other games, 
beginning with matches 
between regiments and 
other units, was carried 
through to expedition 
championships. T h o u - 
sands of officers and men 
participated. The track 
competitions culminated 
in a series of inter-allied 
games, which took the 
place of the international 
Olympic games of other 
years. These were held 
in a reinforced concrete 

stadium, erected in Paris by American engineers at a cost of several hundred 
thousand dollars, which came from the recreation fund given to the Y. M. C. A. 
by the American public. All of the allied nations, even Roumania and 
Czecho-Slovakia, were represented. The games were won by the Americans, 
who won 92 points out of a total 120. After the games were finished the 
stadium was presented to France. 

The soldiers turned enthusiastically to amateur theatricals. Nearly ever\/ 



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DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AT THE ALLIED GAMES 

At General Pershing's left is President Poincare. Then in 
order are Mme. Poincare, Ambassador Wallace, French Minister 
of Marine Leygues, M. Patte, president of the Sporting Club of 
France, and General Tasker H. Bliss. 




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AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



83 



division and many regi- 
ments produced plays 
written and staged by 
the men. The soldier- 
actors toured the expedi- 
tion areas, and some of 
the productions were 
presented in Paris. Some 
of the welfare organiza- 
tions contributed profes- 
sional entertainers to di- 
visional theatrical 
troupes, but most of the 
performers were soldiers. 

Several divisions 
staged circuses. Some 
were given out-of-doors, 
but a few had tents, side- 
shows and all the thrill- 
ers of a real circus. Com- 
petitive horse shows 
were held by each divi- 
sion, the culmination 
coming at the Third 
Army's three-day horse 
and automobile show at 
Coblenz, Germany, in which the Thirty-third Division took second place. 

In all of these competitions the rivalry between divisions resembled that 
which exists among American colleges. Officers and men often went miles 
to witness corps and army games. And to all events — athletic competitions, 
horse shows and theatricals — the soldiers were admitted free. 

For officers and men on leave the finest resorts in Europe were selected. 
The balmy Riviera in the south of France and portions of the British Isles, 
Belgium, and Italy were designated as leave areas. The army took over the 
best hotels and billeting accommodations and gave every man in the expedition 
a chance to visit the resorts. 

Another important activity was the publication of army, divisional and 
regimental magazines and papers. The Stars and Stripes, the A. E. F.'s own 
weekly, was the chief of these publications. It was issued in Paris, with an 
Illinois officer as editor, and had been of great value since early in 191 8. 
After the armistice the ban against contributions from officers and men was 
lifted, and the pent-up flood of literature and art found an outlet in the divi- 
sional and regimental publications. 

All combatant units of the expedition were still in France when President 
Wilson and his party arrived to attend the peace conference. Representative 




AS BALDRIDGE, CARTOONIST OF THE "STARS AND 
STRIPES" SAW IT 



84 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 







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A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO MRS. WILSON 

Major General Alexander, commanding the Seventy-seventh Di- 
vision, making the presentation. 



units of the divisions in 
the area around Langres 
marched in review be- 
fore the President on 
Christmas day, 191 8, af- 
fording one of the most 
impressive sights of the 
post-armistice period. 
Several months later 
picked officers and men 
of the Army of Occupa- 
tion were formed into a 
composite regiment 
which was popularly 
known as "Pershing's 
Own." This regiment 
marched in the Victory 
Parade in Paris on the 
French national holiday, 

July 14, and later it accompanied General Pershing to London where it was 

reviewed by King George. 

Disintegration of the Army of Occupation began in the spring of 1919, 

and when Germany signed the peace terms a few weeks later all of the 

American units were started home. 

By fall all the combat units of the A. E. F. had returned to the L'''nited 

States, the only American troops then in France, besides scattered groups left 

to guard supplies and close up the affairs of the A. E. F., being a brigade of 

the Eighth Division, 

composed of officers and 

men who volunteered for 

overseas duty, which had 

been sent over to aid in 

the policing of the Rhine. 

The First Division, 

which had been the first 

to reach France in 1917, 

was the last to leave, re- 
turning i n September 

with General Pershing. 

On its arrival in New 

York it was given a tre- 
mendous ovation, and its 

parade up Fifth Avenue 

was cheered by thou- 
sands. A few days later, "PERSHing'S own" on the champs elysees 




AMERICA TURNS THE TIDE 



85 




THE FIRST DIVISION PARADING IN WASHINGTON 

After its return from France. 



86 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



with General Pershing at its head, it marched up Pennsylvania Avenue, in 
the city of Washington, to the plaudits of the city's entire population, and 
passed in review before Vice-President Marshall, Secretary of War Baker 
and General March, chief of staff. 

Of the 2,000,000 American soldiers who reached France, 1,390,000, or 
two out of three, saw active service at the front. American divisions were in 
battle for 200 days, and engaged in thirteen major operations. Twenty-nine 
of the forty-two American divisions in France were in actual battle. In the 
St. Mihiel operations 550,000 Americans were engaged, or five and one-half 
times the number of Union troops in the battle of Gettysburg. The artillery 
fired more than a million shells in four hours, the most intense concentration 
of artillery fire recorded in history. In the Meuse-Argonne battle, which 
lasted for forty-seven days, approximately 1,200,000 Americans were engaged. 

The "A. E. F." was the greatest military expedition which has ever been 
undertaken in the history of the world. The transportation of a fighting force 
of more than 2,000,000 men, practically without casualties, over 3,000 miles 
of sea infested by enemy submarines and the maintenance of that huge force 
so far from its base of supplies, despite the enemy's undersea warfare, was a 
feat that the Germans believed impossible and that even the Allies scarcely 
thought could be accomplished. To the fact that it was accomplished the 
world owes its deliverance from the threat of Prussian imperialism. 




PERSHING LEADING THE BASTILLE DAY PARADE 
In Paris, July 14, 1919. 



THE 
THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



o 



A Dedication 



The few words I have to say in this introduction are dedicated to 
the fathers, mothers and wives of the Illinois Division. 

In the sublimity of their patriotism they gave their sons and their 
husbands into my keeping as the commander of the division. 

It was my earnest desire to return as many of those young men to 
their homes as humanly possible, clean in mind and sound in body. 

But it was ordained that the men from Illinois and other states 
in this division should wade through blood and carnage and wreak the 
vengeance of an outraged people upon a merciless foe, and in this 
march of glory many were called to face a higher power, the Great 
Commander who is the judge of all people and of all things. 

They gave their lives bravely, nobly, with a smile on their lips and 
the love of home and country in their hearts. 

Peace to the souls of these fallen heroes of the Thirty-third 
Division. 

To the living, I congratulate you upon a duty well done — than 
which there can be no higher praise. 

The Thirty-third Division accomplished every task assigned to it, 
and often in less than the time allotted. 

Not a single failure is recorded against it. 

Not a scandal has occurred to mar the glory of its achievements. 

It is a record surpassed by none, and equalled by but few. 

I am proud to have had the honor of commanding a division of 
such splendid officers and men. 

Illinois should be equally proud of her sons. 



,^,f2u&^ 



Major General, 

Commander, 33rd Division, 

U. S. Army. 

Camp Grant, Illinois, March i, 1920. 




THE VILLAGE OF MERICOURT-SUR-SOMME 

The hills in the background were taken by the Thirty-third- Division. 

The Thirty-third Division 

By Frederic L. Huidekoper 

Former Lieutenant Colonel, Adjutant General, and Division Adjutant of the 
Thirty-third Division 

HE organization and composition of 
the divisions which were destined to 
form the mihtary forces of the United 
States in the first stages of its participa- 
tion in the World War were prescribed 
in General Orders Nos. 95 and 191 is- 
sued by the War Department on July 
19 and August 3, 191 7. These forces 
were divided into three categories, to 
which numbers were allotted as follows: 
regular divisions, one to twenty-five; 
national guard divisions, twenty-six to 
seventy-five; national army divisions, 
seventy-six and upward. 

This system rendered it easy to tell 
at a glance to which branch any division 
belonged, although, as a matter of fact, sufficient forces were never raised to 
exhaust more than approximately half the numbers allotted to each category. 
On August 23 thirty-one major generals were designated to command the 
troops at certain stations, among them Major General George Bell, Jr., who 
was assigned to Camp Logan, Houston, Texas. General Bell arrived at Hous- 
ton on the 25th, and was joined by the officers selected to command the 
brigades and to constitute the heads of the staff of the Thirty-third Division. 

89 




90 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE BELL, JR. 

Commander of the Thirty-third Division, 



THE THIRTY -THIRD DIVISION 



91 



Situated on Washington Street, 
about four miles from the center of 
Houston, Camp Logan was then in 
a decidedly unfinished condition. It 
was occupied by eight companies, 
one battery and a field hospital, num- 
bering 36 officers and 1,291 enlisted 
men and forming the advance party 
of the National Guard of Illinois 
which was destined to constitute the 
nucleus and major portion of the 
Thirty-third Division. General Bell 
made every preparation possible un- 
der the circumstances for the hous- 
ing, equipment and training of the 
troops whose arrival was shortly an- 
ticipated, but the obstacles which he 
had to surmount can only be appre- 
ciated fully by those who have had 
personal experience with similar 
tasks. On September 7 the First 
Illinois Engineers (Colonel Henry A. Allen, commanding) reached Camp 
Logan; the other regiments and units followed in fairly rapid succession up 
to the 2ist, but it was not until October 27 that the last of the state troops 
arrived. Every effort was made by the division commander to have all the 
Illinois troops sent to Camp Logan immediately, and to obtain all material, 
equipment and supplies needed, but, notwithstanding his incessant urgings, 
the desired results were not obtained. On September 1 7 General Bell received 
orders to reach Hoboken on the 23rd, accompanied by his chief of staft', one 
aide-de-camp and two enlisted men, prepared for extended field service. Two 
days later he left Houston, joined a number of other American generals and 
spent several weeks in France familiarizing himself with the conditions and 




GETTING A DRINK 




THE MESS SHACKS AT CAMP LCH.AN VVhKE NOT BEAl lihlL 



92 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

methods of warfare on the western front. He did not return to Camp Logan 
until December 7. 

During General Bell's absence, the command of the Thirty-third Division 
devolved upon Brigadier General Henry D. Todd, Jr., of the Fifty-eighth 
Field Artillery Brigade, and upon him fell the onerous task of organizing the 
division. The extreme slowness with which the troops were dispatched from 
Illinois delayed this reorganization until October 9; and, as a matter of 
fact, it was several days later before the plans could be put into actual effect. 
With the exception of the First Illinois Artillery, which had been allotted to 
the Forty-second ( Rainbow ) Division, the entire Illinois National Guard was 
to be incorporated in the Thirty-third Division. It was composed of eight 
regiments of infantry — one colored — two regiments of field artillery, one regi- 
ment of engineers and certain other smaller units. Their strength and com- 
position were wholly at variance with the tables of organization issued by the 
War Department on August 8, 191 7, by virtue of which an infantry division 
was composed at that time of the following units: 

OFFICERS MEN 

Division headquarters 29 135 

Two brigades of infantry. Each brigade was composed of 

(a) Brigade headquarters, 5 officers and 18 men 10 36 

(b) Two regiments of infantry, each comprising 103 officers and 3,652 men.. 412 14,608 

(c) One machine gun battalion (4 companies, each comprising 27 officers and 

741 men) 54 1,482 

One brigade of artillery, composed of 

(a) Brigade headquarters 9 49 

(b) Three regiments of artillery, viz: 

Two regiments armed with 3 -inch guns, each having a strength 

of ss officers and 1,424 men no 2,848 

One regiment of 6-inch howitzers 63 i ,703 

(c) One trench mortar batteiy 3 181 

One regiment of engineers (including medical detachment and chaplain) 49 1,617 

Division machine gun battalion (three companies) 21 560 

Field signal battalion (including medical detachment) 15 471 

Train headquarters and military police 11 324 

Mobile Ordnance Repair Shop i 47 

Trains, viz: 

Ammunition train (including medical and veterinary detachments) 28 934 

Supply train 8 464 

Engineer train 2 82 

Sanitary train (including veterinarian) 49 900 

Miscellaneous 13 711 

TOTAL IN AN INFANTRY DIVISION 887 27,152 

In compliance with the general orders issued by the headquarters of the 
Thirty-third Division on October 9, 191 7, there was effected a reorganization, 
which entailed the splitting up of the Fifth Illinois Infantry (Colonel Frank 
S. Wood) and the Seventh Illinois Infantry (Colonel Daniel Moriarity). How 
the units of the division were formed from the old national guard regiments 
is shown on the following page: 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 93 

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 

NATIONAL GUARD DESIGNATION COMMANDED BY NEW DESIGNATION 

ist Infantry Col. Joseph B. Sanborn 131st Infantry 

2nd Infantry Col. John J. Garrity i32nci Infantry 

Companies C and D Sth In- ] J ^ j^ ^^^j^j^^ ^^^ Battalion 

Sany Tth'^jSry'"" ) 1 ^^^^^ ^'"^^ ^- ^"^-"^ 

These three new organizations composed the 66th Infantry Brigade 
under Brigadier General David J. Foster. 

3rd Infantry Col. Charles H. Greene 129th Infantry 

4th Infantry Lt. Col. E. P. Clayton 130th Infantry 

Companies F and G and Ma- ) ( 123rd Machine Gun Battalion 

chine Gun Company, 5th ^ < (Major Albert L. Culbert- 

Infantry ) (son) 

These three new units comprised the 65th Infantry Brigade 

under Brigadier General Henry R. Hill. 

2nd Field Artillery Col. Milton J. Foreman 122nd Field Artillery 

6th Infantry Col. Charles G. Davis 123rd Field Artillery 

3rd Field Artillery Col. Gordon Strong 124th Field Artillery 

^^Inflntry^""" Company, 6th ^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ 

These four organizations constituted the s8th Field Artillery Brigade 
. under Brigadier General Henry D. Todd, Jr. 



ist Engineers Col. Henry A. Allen 108th Engineers 

Companies E, I, K and L, j2 2nd Machme Gun Battalion 

5th Infantry 

Companies B and H, sth In- 108th Train Headquarters and 

fantry Military Police 

Company A, Sth Infantry,"] 

and Companies A, B, C, D,|- loSih Ammunition Train 

E and F, 7th Infantry j 
Companies G H, I, K, L and | ^^^^^ g 1 ^rain 

M, 7th Infantry j "^^ -^ 

Company M, Sth Infantry loSth Engineer Train 
Ambulance Companies I, 2, 3^ ^Ambulance Companies 12Q, 
and 4 S ( 130, 131 and 132 

Headquarters Company, 5th Infantry, consolidated with Headquarters Company, 129th Infantry. 
Headquarters Company, 7th Infantry, consolidated with Headquarters Company, i30lh Infantry. 

Supply Company, sth Infantry, consolidated with Supply Company, 130th Infantry. 

Supply Company, 7th Infantry, consolidated with Supply Company , 131st Infantry. 

Taken in conjunction with the dearth of materiel, equipment and sup- 
pHes which then existed, so drastic a reorganization naturally hampered the 
systematic training of the troops, but before the end of October the temporary 
confusion had been almost wholly overcome, schools of musketry, field forti- 
fication and gas had been established, and the construction of trenches and 
training in the use of the bayonet and machine gun had been begun. The 
three weeks from October 25 to November 14 were notable for the arrival of 
a succession of contingents of drafted men, approximately 5,600 coming from 
the Eighty-sixth Division at Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois, and 1,000 from 
the Eighty-eighth Division at Camp Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa. Some of these 
recruits were unable to speak English, more than 500 proved to be alien 



94 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



enemies, and so many 
others were found to be 
unfit for military duty 
that 2,189 were eventu- 
ally discharged on sur- 
geons' certificates of dis- 
ability. These changes 
prolonged the unsettled 
conditions which neces- 
sarily characterized this 
period of transition. Like 
a bolt out of the blue, 
therefore, came a tele- 
gram at the end of Oc- 
tober from the adjutant 
general of the army or- 
dering that the Thirty- 
third Division be made 
ready to sail for France 
about the last of Novem- 
ber. How remote was 
the possibility that the 
troops could be properly prepared for a movement overseas thirty days later 
and what were the actual conditions at Camp Logan at that time may be gath- 
ered from the following excerpts taken from a memorandum drafted by the 
division adjutant on November i, 191 7, for his own future reference: 

The Thirty-third Division, temporarily under the command of Brigadier General Henry D. 
Todd, Jr.. in the absence of Major General George Bell, Jr., in France, is composed in the main of 
former Illinois National Guard and numbers today 014 officers and 23,205 enlisted men, a total 
of 24,109, in which are included substantially 2,000 drafted men received during the past week from 




OVER THE TOP 

One way of doing it. 




INSPECTION AT CAMP LOGAN 



THE THIRTY -THIRD DIVISION 



95 



the Eighty-sixth Division at Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois; 60 officers and qsq enlisted men 
belonging to the camp troops, and 57 officers and 2,ioq enlisted men of the Eighth Illinois Infantry 
(colored). Neither the camp troops nor the Eighth Illinois will be sent abroad, according to pres- 
ent information. The actual strength of the Thirty-third Division proper is, therefore, 797 officers 
and 10,306 enlisted men — including 2,000 drafted men. Camp Grant at Rockford, Illinois, and 
Camp Dodge at Des Moines, Iowa, are still to furnish this division with 4400 drafted men, but, 
even so, there will still be a shortage of men, since the tables of organization prescribe that a 
division shall consist of 27,152 enlisted men. 

Camp Logan itself is not finished. The plans of many buildings have been repeatedly changed. 
. . . Recently it has been decided to make many of them semi-permanent by the addition of 
doors and windows, and this work has not yet been completed. It was only today that the division 
headquarters moved into an enclosed building, with windows and a wooden floor, having thus 
far occupied buildings with dirt lloors and open sides, exposed to every particle of dust produced 
by six weeks of continuous drought. Many of the storehouses and warehouses are of faulty con- 
struction, and the camp engineer informed me yesterday that some of the roofs are sagging to such 




MEN OF ONE OF THE BATTERIES GETTING NEW OUTFITS OF CLOTHING 



an extent that it was only a question of time before they would collapse completely. The heating 
facilities are meager to a degree. The base hospital is devoid of running water, except for two or 
three faucets put in by the constructing quartermaster contrary to authorization because he realized 
the folly of having no running water whatsoever. It has been suggested from Washington that the 
total absence of heating facilities be overcome by stoves in the operating rooms and by carrying 
heating pipes up the outside of the base hospital. Comment upon the danger of stoves in operating 
rooms where ether is used, or the inadequacy of heating pipes on the outside of a hospital is super- 
fluous. Since the temperature of late has been quite low at night — sometimes below freezing — the 
sick in the base hospital have had increased suffering on account of the cold. 

The reoiganization of the division necessarily affected the training of the troops, but the prin- 
cipal factor which militated against the prompt beginning of this training was the slowness with 
which the Illinois troops were sent to this camp. At the present time, intensive training of the 
infantry regiments has not been of more than four weeks' duration as a whole. The machine gun 
training was not begun until October 10. In the case of the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade 
the situation was extraordinary. The three regiments composing that brigade are a fair sample. 
The 122nd Field Artillery was formerly the First Illinois Cavalry and only within a few months 
converted mto the Second Illinois Field Artillery. The 123rd Field Artillery was the Sixth Illinois 
Infantry until after its arrival at Camp Logan. The 124th Field Artillery was the brand-new Third 



96 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Illinois Field Artillery and was only organized in August, 1917. The training of these field artillery 
regiments has been confined to dummy guns donated to one of them, and not one single organization 
has ever fired a real field piece. The 122nd and 124th only had dummy guns in Illinois; the i2,^rd 
was converted from infantry into field artillery less than six weeks ago at this camp, where no 
field guns of any sort or description existed until yesterday, when twenty-four 3 -inch guns arrived. 
For a long time Brigadier General Todd, commanding the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade, was 
the only officer, regular or otherwise, with artillery experience, but, by dint of much telegraphing, 
two other regular officers were sent to assist him in training this brigade in preliminary work. 
Artillery ammunition is conspicuous for its paucity. 

Of machine guns there are only twelve Maxims and twenty Lewis guns. Only a very few 
officers have taken the course at Fort Sill and are competent to instruct in this most important 
work. 

Although General Bell bent every effort, beginning before the end of August, to establish target 
ranges for small arms and field artillery, in spite of all that could be done, these ranges are just 
approaching completion. Neither the artillery nor the machine gun troops have fired so much as 
one single round in target practice, and the same is true of the infantry without exception. . . . 




FOUR-FOOTED CANARIES 



There is a decided shortage of ordnance materiel of many kinds, including rifles and pistols. 
On several occasions I have had to lend my own Colt automatic to officers of the military police for 
expeditions when riot sticks were scarcely sufficient protection, and when it was advisable for the 
officers to be properly armed. . . . 

As a matter of fact, the real training of this division has just begun in real earnest. . . . 
General Pershing, in a recent communication to the War Department which was transmitted to all 
division commanders, laid the strongest possible emphasis upon the absolute necessity of thorough 
target practice in this country before troops are sent abroad, and he gave ample warning that 
the conditions in France arising from many causes, including intensive agriculture, were such that 
target ranges were well-nigh impossible to find. For these reasons, he emphatically declared that 
American troops should be taught to shoot before they are sent abroad, doubly so since they will 
have little or no opportunity for target practice in France. 

In view of these facts, the reader may draw his own conclusion as to the 
wisdom of sending the Thirty-third Division overseas at that time. Orders 
were subsequently received to report when the io8th Engineers, the Engineer 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



97 



Train and three other 
small units would be 
ready for service in 
France, but a state of 
uncertainty as to the 
date when the entire 
command would move 
prevailed until the sec- 
ond week in December, 
when official notification 
was received that its de- 
parture overseas had 
been postponed. 

Apart from the in- 
tensive training of the 
troops — which was some- 
what handicapped by the 
necessity of sending a considerable force to guard the regions from which the 
Navy derived its principal supply of oil — November, 191 7, was notable for 
several important occurrences. Four British and five French officers, accom- 
panied by a number of noncommissioned officers, arrived as instructors and 
promptly began their work. 

The British military mission was composed of Captain E. M. Barlow, 
Fifth Royal Fusiliers; First Lieutenant R. G. W. Callaghan, Connaught 




GOVERNOR LOWDEN BIDS TROOPS FAREWELL 




INTERESTED VISITORS 

Governor Lowden, Adjutant General Dickson and Speaker David E. Shanahan see the camp. 

Major (later Colonel) Abel Davis at the left. 



98 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Rangers; First Lieutenant E. R. Robinson, Seventh King's Liverpool Regi- 
ment, and First Lieutenant J. L. Thorman, Eighteenth Durham Light In- 
fantry. The French mihtary mission comprised Captain Joseph Flipo, i6ist 
Infantry; Captain Henri Leonard Raichlen, 315th Infantry; Lieutenant Emile 
Robert, 297th Infantry; Lieutenant Leon Dufour, Eighth Engineers, and 
Lieutenant Leon Tournier, Artillery. The impetus to the training given by 
the energetic and able supervision of these officers and the schooling in the 
latest European methods vi^as soon manifest and proved of incalculable benefit 
to the entire division. 

The days from November 6 to 8 were memorable for the visit of Gover- 
nor Frank O. Lowden of Illinois, who, with Governor W. P. Hobby of Texas, 
reviewed in Houston on the 7th a parade in which the major part of the 
division participated. 

During the month several efficiency boards were occupied in weeding 
out officers not up to the requisite standard for war, but in spite of every 
effort to get rid of the undesirables, particularly the alien enemies, the lack 
of a fixed policy concerning them on the part of the Army War College 
effectually prevented definite action. 

On November 30 came the first inkling of the return from France of 
General Bell, who telegraphed from Washington asking the exact shortage of 
men and announcing that he was arranging to have all vacancies in the com- 
mand filled. Three days later the adjutant general wired that the "War De- 
partment expects to send 3,500 drafted men to your division immediately" 
and asked if there was any reason why they should not be sent. 




GENERAL VIEW OF THE i32NI)'s CAMP 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



99 



On December 7 
General Bell, accompa- 
nied by his aide-de-camp, 
Captain William H. 
Simpson, and his chief of 
staff, Lieutenant Colonel 
William K. Naylor, re- 
turned to Camp Logan 
and assumed command 
of the division. On that 
afternoon he addressed 
all the general and field 
officers of the division on 
the subject of the "vital 
necessity of unwavering 
discipline." The next 
day General Bell re- 
ceived orders to ship to 
the Thirty-second Divi- 
sion all overseas equip- 
ment received by the 
Thirty-third ; a week 
later he was directed to 
deliver to the Thirty-sec- 
ond all woolen clothing 
except one suit for each 
man and, in the mean- 
time, he was informed that the departure of the Thirty-third Division had 
been postponed until February and that the motor transport, which was so 
urgently needed, could not be furnished. A vigorous protest against being 
stripped to an irreducible minimum of clothing availed nothing. On top of 
that, came orders to prepare for service overseas. 

At the close of the year 191 7 the Thirty-third Division was beginning to 
resemble a real military force in the embryonic stage, a marked improvement 
being apparent in the discipline, military courtesy and bearing of the entire 
command. Officers not up to the requisite standard were rapidly weeded out, 
while the others showed increasing efficiency. The intensive training was 
pushed to the limit and was supplemented by schools of every sort, the most 
important of which was the Thirty-third Division Infantry School of Arms 
under the able management first of Captain John P. Lucas and subsequently 
of Captain William H. Simpson. In all matters the highest standard was ex- 
acted, and, in conformity with General Bell's requirements, the service record 
of each man was repeatedly examined during a period of several months by 
officers particularly selected for that purpose, so that every inaccuracy was 
corrected on the spot. 




A CHARGE THROUGH THE RAVINE 



100 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




January, 1918, was 
noteworthy for several 
events of more than 
usual importance. 
Nearly all the colonels, 
lieutenant colonels and 
majors of infantry and 
artillery were sent to the 
Brigade and Field Of- 
ficers' School at San An- 
tonio, Texas, and the 
regimental commanders, 
with the exception of 
Colonels Sanborn and 
Foreman, were replaced 
temporarily by regular 
officers selected by the 
War Department. On 
January 9, 432 enlisted 
men were sent to attend 
the training camp for 
candidates for commis- 
sions at Leon Springs. 
On the preceding day 
414 alien enemies arrived 
from the Thirty-second 
Division. In order to 
keep these separate from 
the other units, they 
were organized into a provisional training regiment under Major Abel Davis, 
pending definite action by the War Department as to this vexatious problem 
of alien enemies. Finally the receipt on January 9 of orders to report the num- 
ber of Austrian subjects in the Thirty-third Division belonging to Teutonic, 
]\Iagyar, Pohsh. Rumanian, Czechish, Ruthenian and other consolidated races, 
caused General Bell to send the following telegramx to the adjutant general of 
the army : 

Urgently request authorization to deal with so-called alien enemies in this division and camp 
according to my discretion in order to salvage as many as possible. Alien enemies in this camp 
added to those recently sent from another camp will make some twelve hundred. Out of them at 
least four hundred can be obtained who are eager and desire to fight against Central Powers. If 
thorough investigation proves sincerity of their desire it would be manifestly advantageous to utilize 
them. It is understood that partial or complete naturalization will not prevent their being shot if 
captured by Germans. Authorization described above is earnestly desired, particularly since it 
would help to dispose of this hitherto unsolved question. It is understood that instructions relative 
to alien enemies were to be issued by War Department December 30. No such instructions have 
yet reached this division. Request information whether they have been issued and what is their 
purport. 



BRIGADIER GENERAL FOSTER AND COLONEL 
GARRITY 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



lOI 



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SOME HAD TO WASH CLOTHING 



On January 9 the 
division commander in- 
augurated a novelty in 
the shape of a compe- 
tition to determine the 
best company in each of 
the four infantry regi- 
ments, which were to set 
the standard for all 
others. The four eventu- 
ally selected were Com- 
pany K, 129th Infantry; 
Company F, 130th In- 
fantry; Company E, 
131st Infantry; and 
Company G, 132nd In- 
fantry. They were given 
the title of ''Model Com- 
panies," filled up to full 

strength of 250 men each, and subjected to the most intensive training. Their 
subsequent efficiency in action fully justified the labor bestowed upon them. 

The period from January 15 to 19 was notable for the visit of Lieutenant 
Colonel R. V. K. Applin of the Royal Army, whose handling of the British 
machine guns at the battle of Messines had brought him unusual distinction. 
On the 15th and i6th he lectured to the officers of the division on "Machine 
Gun Tactics" and on the 19th, at the Houston Auditorium, he delivered an 
address on "Discipline and Training" to all the noncommissioned officers of 
the Thirty-third. His remarks produced such a profound impression that his 

lecture was subsequently 
published in a pamphlet 
which was distributed to 
every officer and man 
in the command. On 
January 24 Major Gen- 
eral John F. Morrison, 
the director of training, 
inspected the division. 
On the 27 th offi- 
cial notification 
was received that 
subjects of hostile coun- 
tries not wishing to serve 
in the army were to be 
discharged at once, but 
AND SOME DUG DITCHES that an agent of the De- 





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102 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




partment of Justice must 
be consulted in each case 
of an alien enemy whose 
internment was judged 
advisable. The partial 
solution of this question, 
which had been the sub- 
ject of annoyance for 
months, opened the way 
for the contingents 
needed to overcome the 
existing shortage of men, 
and resulted in the fol- 
lowing characteristic tel- 
egram being sent that 
afternoon: 

The Adjutant General of the 

Army, 
Washington, D. C. 

About forty-three hundred 
recruits are needed for this di- 
vision and I urgently request 
that they be sent here at once. 
While I was in France Com- 
manding General emphasized 
the absolute necessity of send- 
ing no troops which were not thoroughly disciplined and equipped. I do not desire to be advanced 
on priority list, that is matter for War Department to determine itself, but I should like to have 
two or three months in which to train men sent to raise division to full strength. Any soldier knows 
that to fill up well disciplined divisions with four thousand green men necessarily decreases efficiency 
greatly and T am endeavoring to avoid impairing efficiency seriously by having recruits unloaded 
wholesale on division on eve of its departure overseas. Am certain that General Morrison, director 
of training, believes in filling up immediately all divisions intended for France. If this be doubted, 
request that you consult him by telegraph. I invite attention to fact that there are plenty of 
Illinois men in northern camps where they are virtually hibernating and cannot train whereas not 
a day has been lost in this camp. I desire to command a fighting, or even an assault division, but 
not a replacement division. There are plenty of others not so advanced in training as this division 
which could be selected for that role. I desire when we reach France to be a help, not a hindrance, 
as I understand is the case with some of the organizations already sent. The main object of thi^ 
request is to render effective service, to take advantage of the opportunities for training which are 
better in this camp than in almost any other in the United States or France and moreover should 
like to have a sporting chance when I get to France. Bell. 

During February, 191 8, gratifying progress was made in the discipline, 
training and general efficiency of the division. The work of former months 
was increased, the various schools were operated to their maximum capacity, 
and every effort was made to improve shooting and bayonet work and to 
develop initiative. The infantry was given tours of duty in a system of 
trenches and was subjected to gas attacks so arranged by the British and 
French instructors as to reproduce as nearly as possible the actual battle con- 
ditions on the allied front. The artillery and machine gun units had likewise 



IN THE TRENCHES 



THE THIRTY -THIRD DIVISION 



103 



reached that stage where training of the most intensive sort could be given and 
every advantage was taken of that fact. The marked improvement made by 
all arms was revealed on February 28 when the first of a series of general 
inspections took place. 

A few events during that month require passing mention. During the 
first week of February orders were received to prepare the division at once 
for service abroad and to report when it was equipped and ready. On the 
loth a letter arrived from the adjutant general's office with the announcement 
that the organization of the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade would be 
"that prescribed for the sixth division of each corps, known in the organiza- 
tion project as the base and training division." This was equivalent to a dec- 
laration that the Thirty-third had been made a replacement division. It was 
followed on the nth by a copy of the same communication bearing an endorse- 
ment dated February 7, 1918, and addressed "To the commanding generals of 
all regular, national guard and national army divisions in the United States, 
for their information." The receipt of this communication drew from Gen- 
eral Bell a very vigorous protest against the division's being judged in Febru- 
ary by the conditions existing in November and December, as specified by 
the reports of inspectors made during those months, and against being 
"branded to the entire army in the United States as inefficient" without an 
opportunity to be heard and in the absence of subsequent proper investigation 
by War Department inspectors. 

The response, dated February 21, expressed a regret that General Bell 
had interpreted the communication as he did and assured him that the desig- 
nation of the Thirty-third as a replacement division "was made without in- 




AN ATTACK AS IT WAS TRIED AT CAMP LOGAN 



104 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



tent to reflect in the slightest degree upon his efficiency or that of the men 
whom he commands." It was noticeable, however, that no change was made 
in the status of the division at that time. That the attitude of the War De- 
partment toward the division was altered at a later date is evident from the 
fact that while no announcement of a change of plans was made, the Thirty- 
third went overseas as a combat division. 

More than eleven weeks had elapsed without anything further being 
heard of the 3,500 recruits promised on December 3, 191 7, but on the eve- 
ning of February 21a telegram from the adjutant general inquired as to the 




MEN OF THE 122ND FIELD ARTILLERY IN THE Y. M. C. A. HUT AT CAMP LOGAN 



number of men needed to fill the division to full authorized strength. A reply 
was immediately sent to the effect that the actual vacancies numbered 5,124, 
but that, in view of prospective vacancies, 6,000 men were required. 

During March the training was still further accelerated. All officers and 
men were required to remain in camp on the nights of Monday, Tuesday, 
Thursday, and Friday for the purpose of study; numerous night schools were 
inaugurated — including a division school of operations which was attended by 
all the ranking officers of the command — and the daily hours of drill were 
increased from seven to eight. On the 26th the officers of the division were 
again assembled and given another plain talk by General Bell, who placed the 
utmost emphasis upon the necessity of subordinating everything else to pre- 
paring the troops for fighting. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



105 



There were a few important 
events during the month which 
require chronichng. During the 
first week, Brigadier General 
Paul A. Wolf reported for duty 
and assumed command of the 
Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade, re- 
placing Brigadier General Fos- 
ter, who had failed to qualify 
physically for overseas service 
and had been honorably dis- 
charged on January 8. On 
March 9 the division com- 
mander transmitted to the chief 
of staff of the United States 
Army the rather voluminous 
correspondence of the preceding 
three months on the subject of 
the recruits needed to expand 
the division to its maximum 
authorized strength. At the 
same time he reiterated his re- 
quest "to have the five thousand men needed by this division sent here at once 
in order that they may be at least partially trained before our departure over- 
seas." This recommendation bore fruit. On the 19th a telegram was re- 
ceived from the commanding general of the Eighty-sixth Division at Camp 




GENERAL BELL AND HIS HORSE 




COMPANY E, 130TH INFANTRY, WAITING FOR THE ENEMY 



io6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Grant announcing that he had been ordered to transfer 2,700 men to the 
Thirty-third within the next eight days, and on the 22nd instructions were re- 
ceived from the adjutant general of the army to report immediately the short- 
age of men in each arm of the service and to specify the needs of each regi- 
ment and other unit. 

April, 1 91 8, was a strenuous month for the Thirty-third Division and was 
replete with important events. During the opening week the question 

as to the disposition of the alien ene- 
mies, which had been a source of 
never-ending annoyance for months, 
was at last solved by the official an- 
nouncement that enlisted men born 
in enemy countries might be sent 
overseas if they had been completely 
naturalized but that those who had 
not become wholly naturalized were 
precluded from service abroad, re- 
gardless of their desire. On April 4 a 
number of the officers who had at- 
tended the three months' course at 
the Brigade and Field Officers' 
School returned from San Antonio 
and resumed their former positions. 
Colonel John J. Garrity was trans- 
ferred from the 132nd Infantry — in 
the command of which he was suc- 
ceeded by Lieutenant Colonel Abel 
Davis — to the 130th Infantry, vice 
Colonel Frank S. Wood relieved, but 
Colonel Garrity subsequently ten- 
dered his resignation, which was 
accepted at the end of the month, 
and the command of the 130th In- 
fantry devolved upon Lieutenant 
Colonel E. J. Lang. On April 5 was 
held the first review of the entire division, at the maneuver ground four 
miles north of Camp Logan. On the same day there occurred two events 
which indicated that the long training period was almost at an end and that 
the division was soon to go overseas. The first of these was the issuance of 
General Orders No. 52, embodying the regulations to govern the movement 
of the division to its port of embarkation whenever that movement should 
take place. The second event was the arrival of the first contingent of drafted 
men destined to fill the division to its maximum authorized strength. The 
various contingents are enumerated in the order of their arrival in the table 
on the next page: 




GENERAL TODD AND MAJOR (LATER 
LIEUTENANT COLONEL) HUIDEKOPER 



THE THIRTY -THIRD DIVISION 



107 




AN ATTACK AT CAMP LOGAN WAS GOOD EXERCISE 



DATE OF 
ARRIVAL 

April 5 
April b 
April 7 
April 8 
April 8 
April 
April 10 
April 23 
April 25 
April 29 



NUMBER 
OF MEN 
892 
801 

814 

ijiSo 
500 

1,148 
500 
100 
150 

1,000 



86th Division, Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois, 
86th Division, Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois. 
86th Division, Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois. 
88th Division, Camp Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa. 
84th Division, Camp Taylor. Louisville, Kentucky. 
88th Division, Camp Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa. 
84th Division, Camp Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky. 
86th Division, Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois. 
Base Hospital, 88th Division, Camp Dodge. 
Depot Brigade, S6th Division, Camp Grant. 



TOTAL 7,14s Drafted men received. 

As these successive contingents arrived, the first 3,000 men were incor- 
porated into the First Provisional Regiment under the command of Major 

H. C. Ridgway, and the 
last 4,145 into the Sec- 
ond Provisional Regi- 
ment under Captain 
William H. Simpson, 
General Bell's senior 
aide-de-camp. They were 
subjected to a thorough 
physical examina- 
tion, given intensive 
training, classified, and 
during the latter part of 
April were assigned to 
various units of the di- 
vision, thus filling each 
to its maximum strength 
THEY SEEMED TO ENJOY IT with men qualified for 




io8 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



the particular work required. On the 6th, to stimulate interest in the Third 
Liberty Loan, the Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade, the 122nd Field Artillery and 
Ambulance Company No. 131 paraded in Houston and were reviewed by the 
division commander. General Bell reported the io8th Engineers and the 
1 08th Engineer Train as equipped and ready. During the third week of April 
orders were received to send them to Camp ]\Ierritt, and on the 2 2Rd they 
marched out of Camp Logan bound overseas, to the envy of their fellow 
soldiers. On the 21st, 156 enlisted men who had successfully completed the 
course at the training camp at Leon Springs, and become candidates for com- 
missions returned to the division; on the 25th, 704 alien enemies were sent to 
Camp Lewis, American Lake, Washington, in compliance with orders; and 




ARMY TRANSPORT SERVICE BASE, BREST 



before the end of the week instructions were received from the War Depart- 
ment directing that the Division Headquarters, the Headquarters Troop, the 
122nd Machine Gun Battalion, the entire Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade and four 
camp infirmaries reach Camp Upton, Long Island, as soon as possible after 
midday on May 2 . 

Lively, indeed, were the closing days of April, as is always the case just 
prior to the departure of a large body of troops on a long journey. In addi- 
tion to the preparations which never can be made until the last minute, the 
arrival of several thousand recruits at the eleventh hour involved herculean 
labor in assigning them to the various units according to the needs of the 
organizations and the qualifications of the men themselves. By dint of ex- 
traordinary efforts, the task was successfully accomplished in time, and on the 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



109 



30th confidential general 
orders were issued for 
the departure of the lead- 
ing units of the division 
on May i. It has been 
shown that 7,145 recruits 
were received during the 
last twenty-five days of 
April and that the final 
increment did not arrive 
until the 29th; yet on 
January 27 General Bell 
had strongly urged 
against having the effi- 
ciency of the division se- 
riously impaired by re- 
cruits unloaded upon it 
wholesale on the very eve 
of its departure overseas. 

By the end of April, more than 235 officers not up to the requisite stand- 
ard had been weeded out, the troops were ready for the final period of inten- 
sive training which can best be given in the atmosphere and surroundings of 
war, and the Thirty-third had become a real division in fact as well as in 
name. 

Leaving Brigadier General Todd in command at Camp Logan, the division 
commander, accompanied by his aides-de-camp. Captain William H. Simpson 
and Captain Frank Baackes, Jr., and the division adjutant, Lieutenant Col- 




THE LEVIATHAN ARRIVING AT BREST 
With troops of the Thirty-third on board. 




THE OLD FORTRESS AND THE HARBOR AT BREST 



no 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



onel Frederic L. Huidekoper. started on April 30 for Washington, where they 
spent three days on business pertaining to the division. They reached Camp 
Upton, Yaphank, Long Island, about noon on May 6, in advance of all troops 
except the headquarters detachment, the headquarters troop, and the offi- 
cers of the division staff. The movement from Camp Logan was made with 
remarkable speed, considering the distance, the number of troops and the 
amount of equipment. The different detachments arrived in rapid succession 
after May 6 but their stay at Camp Upton was comparatively brief, in some 
cases being less than twenty- four hours. This period was notable for three 
visits of Governor Lowden, on May 6, 9, and 13, and for the happy and 




A STREET SCENE AT PONTANEZEN 

Row after row of tents and wooden shacks were hastily set up to provide accommodations 

for the American troops. 

stirring speeches which he made on the last two dates to the troops of the 
Thirty-third Division, bidding them farewell and assuring them of the deep 
interest and pride with which the people of Illinois would follow their career 
overseas. 

The first units of the Thirty-third Division to embark were the io8th 
Engineers and the io8th Engineer Train, which passed through Camp Merritt, 
New Jersey, and sailed on May 8, reaching Brest on the i8th. They were 
followed on the loth, i6th and 22 nd by the troops which passed through 
Camp Upton, General Bell and the division staff sailing on the Mount Vernon, 
formerly the German liner Kronprincezzin Cecelie. Next went the Fifty- 
eighth Field Artillery Brigade on May 26, and last, on June 4, were 
Brigadier General Todd, his headquarters and the io8th Sanitary Train. The 
transports, as a rule, were dispatched in convoys of two or more vessels each, 



I'HE THIRTY -THIRD DIVISION 



III 



DATE OF SAIL- 
ING FROM HO- SHIP 
BOKEN, N. J.: 


UNIT 


DATE AND 
PLACE OF 
ARRIVAL 


May 8 George Washington 


1 08th Engineers (Col. Henry A. Allen) 
io8th Engineer Train 


Brest 
May 18 


May lo 


Covington 


Headquarters 65th Infantry Brigade (Briga- 
dier General Henry R. Hill). Brest 

i2qth Infantry (Col. Charles H. Greene). ^^y 23 
less 3rd battalion and Company H. 


May 10 Lenape 


122nd Machine Gun Battalion (Major David 
R. Swaim). 


Brest 
May 24 

Brest 

May 23 

Bordeaux 
May 24 


May 10 President Lincoln 


Company H, i2C)th Infantry. 


1 
May 10 La Lorraine 


Headquarters, 3rd battalion and Companies 
L and M, 129th Infantry. 


May 1 6 


Mount Vernon 


Division Commander (Major General George 

Bell, Jr.). 
Division Staff. 
Headquarters Detachment. 
Headquarters Troop (Captain Herbert W. 

Styles). 
132nd Infantry (Col. Abel Davis). 
124th Machine Gun Battalion (Major Floyd 

F. Putman). 


Brest 
May 24 


May 1 6 Agamemnon 


Headquarters 66th Infantry Brigade (Briga- 
dier General Paul A. Wolf). „ . 
130th Infantry (Lt. Col. E. J. Lang). j ^Jft 
123rd Machine Gun Battalion (Major Albert' ^^^"^^ ^ 
L. Culbertson). 


May 2 2 


Leviathan 


131st Infantry (Col. Joseph B. Sanborn). 
Trains Headquarters and Military Police 

(Col. John V. Clinnin). 
io8th Supply Train (Major Frederick S. 

Haines). 


Brest 
May 31 


May 26 


Kashmir 


122nd Field Artillery (Colonel Milton J. 

Foreman). 
io8th Trench Mortar Battery (Captain 

Charles J. Kraft). 
108th Mobile Ordnance Repair Shop (ist 

Lieut. T. Worthington, Jr.). 


Liverpool 
June 8 


May 26 


Scotian 


123rd Field Artillery (Colonel Charles G. 
Davis). 


Liverpool 
June 8 


May 26 


Melita 


124th Field Artillery (Colonel Horatio B. 
Hackctt). 

108th Field Signal Battalion (Major John 
P. Lucas). 


Liverpool 
June 8 


May 27 
(Montreal) 


City of Poona 


io8th Ammunition Train (Lieutenant Col- 
onel Walter J. Fisher). 


Liverpool 
June 8 


June 4 


Mauretania 


Headquarters S8th Field Artillery Brigade 
(Brigadier General Henry D. Todd, Jr.). 


Liverpool 
June II 


June 4 


Adriatic 


io8th Sanitary Train (Lieut. Col. Harry D. Liverpool 
Orr). j June 15 



112 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



and all ships were met by destroyers about 
thirty-six hours before reaching port and 
escorted to their anchorages. The urgent 
need of the Allies for men at that time 
caused the transports to be crowded to their 
maximum capacity, and, for the sake of 
safety, no lights were permitted at night. 
Nevertheless the troops suffered no serious 
hardships. Strict discipline was main- 
tained, every attention was devoted to 
health and cleanliness and boat-drills took 
place daily. The voyages were barren of 
interest except in the case of the Leviathan, 
which was attacked by several German sub- 
marines when within sight of the Brest light- 
house but escaped unscathed, while two of 
the submarines were sunk by gun-fire and a 
third was captured and towed into port by 
the American destroyers. 

The table which appears on page iii 
shows the movement of the division overseas. 
Upon its arrival in France, the Thirty- 
third Division was first sent to the area of 
Huppy, a town about five miles south of 
Abbeville, where the division headquarters 
were established on May 27, but some of 
the units did not rejoin the command for 
several weeks. 

By June 26, all units of the division 
had been assembled with the exception of 
the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade, which, notwithstanding that it had 
been trained as an integral part of the division, was detached upon its arrival 
in France and did not rejoin the Thirty-third until long after the armistice. 
This separation was a source of genuine regret to both commands, and proved 
somewhat of a handicap during subsequent operations. The splendid service 
rendered by the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade in support of several of 
the veteran divisions of the A. E. F. is reviewed in another section of this work. 
In the Huppy area the division became part of the Second American 
Corps and passed under the jurisdiction of the Fourth Army, British Expe- 
ditionary Forces, under the command of General Sir Henry Rawlinson. A 
course of intensive training was immediately begun. On INIay 30 a visit was 
paid to General Bell by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, who was accom- 
panied by his aide-de-camp and by Major Robert Bacon, the American liaison 
officer at British General Headquarters and former American ambassador to 
France and secretary of state. 




MAJOR GENERAL GEO. W. READ 

Commanding the Second American 
Corps, tiie first to wliicli the Thirty- 
third Division was assigned in France. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



113 



On June 9 the Thirty-third Division proceeded in two marches to the 
Eu area, where it succeeded the Thirty-fifth American Division. Here it was 
furnished with British equipment. Training of the most intensive sort, cov- 
ering problems ranging from those of the battalion to the division, was given 
under the supervision of the Thirtieth British Division (Major General Wil- 
liams), and a large number of officers and men were sent away to schools of 
various sorts. 

On June 13 the io8th Engineers were sent forward to the Bois de 
Querrieu to work on the entrenchments of the "Army Line" in the vicinity 
of Amiens, where the Germans were expected to make a mighty effort to break 
through the British in the attempt to reach the English Channel. On the 
20th and 2ist the rest of the Thirty-third Division proceeded by bus and 
marching to the Long, Third British Corps and Martainneville areas, the 
division headquarters being established at Molliens-au-Bois on the afternoon 
of the 2ist. On the 23rd the Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade and the 122nd 
Machine Gun Battalion occupied the "Vaden Line" for twenty-four hours as 
a practice test. Three days later this same battalion, together with the 
machine gun companies of the 131st and 132nd Infantry Regiments, was trans- 
ferred to the Australian Corps (Lieutenant General Sir John Monash). At 
the same time the Sixty- 
sixth Brigade began to 
construct and wire the 
^'Daily INIail Line" of 
entrenchm.ents. At the 
close of June other units 
began training under the 
Australian Corps and 
certain machine gun 
units were sent to Pont 
Remy for target practice. 
On July 2 the Sixty-sixth 
Infantry Brigade was 
given a tactical exercise 
on the Baizieux-Warloy 
line. That afternoon the 
American commander-in- 
chief, General John J. 
Pershing, paid a visit to 
General Bell and made a 
short speech to the di- 
vision staff. The period 
from June 13 to July 4 
was noteworthy for the 
number of officers and n'o tea leaves to be dumped here 

men sent away to differ- Eloquent testimony to British occupation in Pierregot. 




114 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

















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A REHEARSAL WITH BRITISH TANKS 



ent schools, for the intensive training and for the efforts bent in every direction 
to bring the command to the highest state of efficiency. 

Meanwhile the British had planned an operation which was destined to 
redound greatly to the prestige of the Thirty-third Division and, through it, 
to the entire American army. General Sir Henry Rawlinson had asked Major 
General George W. Read, commanding the Second American Corps, for per- 
mission to use certain units of the Thirty-third in a raid, and his request was 
granted. After being filled up to maximum strength, Companies C and E, 
131st Infantry, and Companies A and G, 132nd Infantry, were attached to the 
Eleventh and Fourth Australian Brigades, respectively, and sent to their des- 
tinations on the night of June 29-30. During the next two days they were 
given rehearsals with tanks, and on July 2 were moved to their proper sectors 
in the front line trenches. Companies C and E, i3Tst Infantry, being assigned 
to the Forty-second and Forty-third Battalions (Eleventh Australian Brigade) 
and Companies A and G, 132nd Infantry, to the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Bat- 
talions (Fourth Australian Brigade). On June 30 six companies of the 131st 
Infantry had been sent to these same brigades, but they were unexpectedly 
withdrawn on the evening of July 2 in conformity with a request from General 
Read to Sir Henry Rawlinson, and on the 3rd the latter was directed by the 
British commander-in-chief to withdraw all American troops who were to par- 
ticipate in this attack. Since the four companies of the 131st and 132nd In- 
fantry were then in position. Sir Henry answered that their withdrawal would 
involve the abandonment of the entire operation. This action was apparently 
based upon the stand taken by the commander of the Australian Corps who, 
in a speech to the American Club in London on July 4, 1919, declared that at 
the time he gave an ultimatum. "No Americans, no battle!" 

The object of this attack was the capture of the ground some miles cast 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



"5 



of Amiens and about a mile south of the River Somme, embracing the town of 
Hamel, the Bois de Hamel and the Bois de Vaire, a strong position dominat- 
ing the AustraHan trenches in that sector. The German system of trenches, 
about 700 yards from the British, ran southwestwardly through the Bois de 
Notamel and the high ground to the "Pear Trench," a salient some 250 yards 
from the British lines, and thence along the western edge of the Bois de Vaire. 
Back of this system, at Hamel were deep dugouts in which the enemy was 
known to have strong garrisons. The attack was scheduled for the Fourth of 
July and was to be made by the Fourth Australian Division and the Americans. 
The Fourth Brigade was to capture the Vaire and Hamel Woods and to con- 
solidate on the spur beyond them, while the Eleventh Brigade on the north 
and the Sixth Brigade on the south were to carry and consolidate the positions 
on the flanks as far as the objective. The attack was to be made in three 
waves, supported by tanks and protected by a lifting barrage, reen forced by 
trench mortars and machine guns. Counter-battery work was assigned to 
161 guns of the Australian Corps, while the Third British Corps on the north 
and the French Corps on the south cooperated with their heavy artillery. 

At 3:10 a. m. on the Fourth of July the harassing fire changed to a 
barrage, lifted for 100 yards, and the attack was launched. On the extreme 
north the Forty-second Australian Battalion reached its first objective, some 
1,000 yards from the jumping-off line, without much resistance. On its right 
the Forty-third Battalion gained the western edge of Hamel, where it soon 
overcame the opposition of the enemy in his dugouts. The Sixth Brigade en- 
countered greater resistance and heavier machine gun fire, was impeded by 
wire and had a number of casualties from defective barrage. The Fifteenth 




^'Amie-ns 



MAP OF THE AMIENS-ALBERT SECTOR 



ii6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 










FOR BRAVERY IN ACTION AT HAMEL 

Officers and men of the 131st and 132nd Infantries lined up for decoration at Molliens-au-Bois. 
Left to right: ist Lt. Frank E. Schram, 2nd Lt. Harry Yagle, 2nd Lt. M. M. Komorowski, 
Private Harry Shelly, Sergeant Frank A. Koijane, Sergeant James E. Krum, Corporal A. C. 
Schabinger, Corporal Lester C. Whitson, and Privates Eworedo, Fred R. Wilkins, W. F. Linzsky, 
Christopher W. Keane. 



Battalion upon reaching the Pear Trench, and the Sixteenth Battahon at 
the Vaire Trench, met with desperate resistance but successfully overcame it, 
and the entire force eventually reached the first objective. Here a halt of ten 
minutes was made under cloak of a heavy smoke screen, the lines reformed, 
the tanks caught up with the infantry, and the Forty-fourth Battalion leap- 
frogged through the Forty-third in the sector of the Eleventh Brigade. 

At 4:10 a. m. the forward movement was resumed and at 5 o'clock the 
final objective was attained. The enemy at this point made a determined 
stand, but some spirited attacks, supported by tanks, drove him back and 
the infantry commenced to dig in, finishing this work at 7 a. m. The positions 
were consolidated, and that afternoon some of the German posts were rushed. 
The enemy retaliated at dusk by attacking the Forty-fourth Battalion, but 
was repulsed with a loss of about fifty prisoners by a counterattack, in which 
Company G, 132nd Infantry, participated. Throughout the day there was 
much aerial activity on both sides, the Australian airplanes retaining the 
mastery until noon, when thirty-five German planes contested their supremacy. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



117 




A BRITISH MACHINE-GUN NEST 
On the road to Henencourt. 



Two of the Australian 
aircraft were downed 
and that night the Ger- 
mans gave the allied po 
sitions a merciless bomb- 
ing. 

At Hamel three Aus- 
tralian brigades and 
1,000 American troops 
were engaged; every ob- 
jective was gained and 
the Australian lines were 
definitely rid of the men- 
ace to which they had long been subjected by these dominating German posi- 
tions. The captures included 41 officers, 1,431 other ranks, 171 machine guns, 
26 trench mortars and two 77 mm. field pieces. The Australian losses were 
reported as ''slight," while the American casualties were confined to 24 en- 
listed men killed, 8 officers and 123 men wounded, and 21 men missing. 

Although of minor importance from a purely military standpoint, the 
action at Hamel exercised an incalculable influence. At that time Amiens 
was considered the danger spot on the entire allied front, and a great German 
drive was expected at any moment. The Allies knew that the American reg- 
ulars would fight, but up to that time they had been given no proof of the 
efficiency of other American troops. Hamel demonstrated decisively that in 
all the American forces they possessed allies upon whom they could place 




TYPICAL BRITISH TRENCHES IN THE AMIENS SECTOR 



ii8 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



implicit dependence in any military 
operation whatsoever. The British 
were quick to appreciate this fact 
and, as was characteristic of them, 
within the next two days, Sir Doug- 
las Haig and Sir Henry Rawlinson 
sent telegrams to General Bell, and 
Sir John Monash a letter, commend- 
ing the gallantry and efficiency of 
the troops of the Thirty-third Di- 
vision. 

After this battle a story was 
current throughout the British army 
and in England to the effect that 
some Australians remarked to cer- 
tain American soldiers: "You'll do 
me, Yank, but you chaps are a bit 
rough!" A similar story is told by 
General Ludendorff in his account 
of the war. As the four American 
companies were returning to their 
commands on July 5, they were met 
by an Australian colonel who began 
to address them in a very formal 
speech which he cut short by blurt- 
ing out: "Yanks, you're fighting 
fools, but I'm for you!" 

On July 5 the 129th Infantry 
was reviewed by David Lloyd 
George, prime minister of Great 
Britain, and on the 22nd and 23rd 
officers of the Second American Corps inspected the Thirty-third Division 
for the purpose of determining whether it was ready for active service. The 
period terminating on August 9 was characterized by the most intensive train- 
ing, repeated inspections and shifting of the units in order to give each the 
maximum instruction possible. At least one tour of duty in the front trenches 
was given each organization, reliefs were practiced, complete systems of de- 
fense constructed, continual target practice was exacted, schools galore were 
inaugurated or attended, and every effort was made to acquire all that could 
be taught by the British. On July 30 Brigadier General Edward L. King 
assumed command of the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade, replacing Brigadier 
General Henry R. Hill who had been relieved on July 16. 

Instead of making the great drive through Amiens and the valley of the 
Somme toward the English Channel, as had long been expected, the Germans 
struck for Paris. They were stopped and counterattacked by the Allies, and 




BRIGADIER GENERAL EDWARD L. KING 

Who assumed command of the Sixty-fifth Infan- 
try Brigade on July 30, 1918. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



119 



in the early part of August this counterattack had developed as far as the 
British front, with the consequence that August 9, igiS, proved another 
memorable day in the career of the Thirty-third Division. 

Some fifteen miles east and slightly north of Amiens are the village and 
ridge of Chipilly, situated north of the Somme in one of the numerous bends 
made by the river in that region. Northwest of the village is the Malard 
Wood and directly north the Gressaire Wood, both strongly fortified and 
forming a formidable position which dominated the British trenches and 




THE SOMME OFFENSIVE 

The area of the Thirty-third Division's activities with the Australians and the British. The 
map shows the principal towns near which the Americans held trenches in support, and also 
shows the extent of the advance in the attacks of July 4 and August q. 



120 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




RUINS IN THE VILLAGE OF CHIPILLY 

effectually precluded any advance in that neighborhood so long as they were 
held by the Germans. After the success at Hamel, the British lines south 
of the Somme had been pushed forward to a point opposite Chipilly, but the 
incessant enfilade fire from that ridge had rendered the lines virtually un- 
tenable. The British commanders, therefore, determined to make a final 
effort to capture Chipilly Ridge and the Gressaire Wood, which formed the 
key to the entire sector. On August 8 the 131st Infantry (Colonel Joseph 
B. Sanborn) was placed under the Fifty-eighth British Division (Major Gen- 
eral Frank Ramsay) in the reserve of the Third Corps and ordered to Heilly 




IN THE VALLEY OF THE SOMME RIVER 
Looking southeast towards Chipilly from the ridge captured by the first battalion of the 131st 

Infantry. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



121 



and Franvillers. Upon reaching these villages at lo p. m., instructions were 
received to attack next morning at i o'clock, but General Ramsay decided 
to postpone this operation and sent the 131st Infantry forward to a position 
in readiness between Vaux-sur-Somme and Sailly-le-Sec, where it arrived, con- 
siderably exhausted, on the morning of August 9 — the third battalion having 
marched fully twenty miles. At 3:30 that afternoon General Ramsay in 
person delivered to Colonel Sanborn near Sailly-le-Sec an order to attack at 
5:30 p. m. from a jumping-off line four miles away. This distance was cov- 
ered at a rapid gait, notwithstanding the hot sun and full packs, and at the 
appointed hour the attack was launched. 




THE END OF A GERMAN MACHINE GUN NEST 
A glimpse toward the Somme, a week after the advance. 



The details of this brilliant action and the events of the succeeding days 
are narrated elsewhere in this work, and therefore will not be chronicled here. 
Suffice to say that the 131st Infantry broke through the formidable German 
positions to a distance of four kilometers, attaining not only the British ob- 
jective but part of the Bray-Corbie road beyond, with a loss of 14 officers and 
371 men killed and wounded. This engagement is notable in that it effected 
the first penetration of the enemy's position in that region, and constituted 
the initial success of the great British offensive which did not terminate until 
Mons was reached on November 11. With characteristic promptness, the 
British commanders expressed by telegram or letter their appreciation of the 



122 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




ON THE WAY TO THE CEREMONIES AT MOLLIENS-AU-BOIS 
King George and General Pershing leading. Back of the King are General Rawlinson (left) 
and Field Marshal Haig (right). In the next row, left to right, are General Bell, General King, 
and General Wolf. 

remarkable achievement and gallantry of Colonel Sanborn and his indom- 
itable men. 

During the period from August 8 to 23, the Thirty-third Division — con- 
stantly shelled and bombed by the enemy 
— continued its intensive training, every 
unit being given considerable duty in 
the trenches and particular attention be- 
ing paid to the care of property and to 
mastering the admirable British methods 
of feeding and grooming animals. On 
the isth the 132nd Infantry took over 
the trenches of the Twelfth Australian 
Brigade, and on the i6th both the Sixty- 
fifth and Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigades 
had elements in the front trenches. On 
August 18 Colonel Charles H. Greene 
was relieved from the 129th Infantry, 
and was succeeded in command of that 
„., regiment bv Colonel Edgar A. Myer. 

FIELD MARSHAL HAIG BIDS GENERAL ^ . ' ^ ^ • • .u 

BELL FAREWELL August 12, 1918, was unique in the 

After the ceremonies at Moiliens-au-Bois. history of the American Expeditionary 




THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



123 



Forces. At 11 o'clock that morning George V, king of England, arrived at 
the headquarters of the Thirty-third at the chateau of Molliens-au-Bois, where 
he was received with full honors and found General Pershing and General 
Tasker H. Bliss awaiting him. On the former the King bestowed the Grand 
Cross of the Order of the Bath, and to the latter he gave the Grand Cross 
of St. Michael and St. George. Accompanied by a group of officers, 
among whom was General Sir Henry Rawlinson, commanding the Fourth 
British Army, the King proceeded to a spot near the chateau where some three 
hundred men selected from every unit in the division were drawn up in hollow 
square. Here he decorated twelve officers and enlisted men for their gallantry 
at Hamel on July 4. The King personally pinned on the breast of each man 
the Military Cross, the Distinguished Conduct Medal or the Military Medal, 
according to the award, and congratulated him on his bravery. At 11:30 
a. m. the ceremony ended and the King departed, having been unable to 
bestow similar decorations on seven others whose wounds prevented their 
being present. 

On August 21 orders were issued for the transfer of the Thirty-third 
Division to the First American Army in the Toul sector. All British equip- 
ment was turned in and Springfield rifles were issued. On the 22nd Assistant 
Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt made a stirring speech to the 
Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade in which he thanked the troops of the Thirty- 




DIVISION POST OF COMMAND AT TANNOIS 

During the maneuvers, September 4, 1018. At the table, left to right. Lieutenant Colonel 
Naylor, General Bell, Major General George H. Cameron, commanding Fifth Army Corps, Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Walter C. Sweeney, and Major C. L. Sampson 



124 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



third Division on behalf of the government for the prestige which they brought 
to American arms by their achievements. On the night of August 23-24 the 
Thirty-third Division entrained at Vignacourt, St. Roch and Longeau for the 
journey by rail to the Toul area. 

The training that the division had received under the British proved of 
inestimable value — as was appreciated at the time and increasingly so in the 
future — and no relations could have been more cordial than those which pre- 
vailed throughout the stay of the Thirty-third on the British front. On both 
sides the departure of the division was attended with genuine regret, which, 
in the case of the British, was feelingly expressed in farewell letters from 
General Sir Henry Rawlinson of the Fourth Army and from Lieutenant Gen- 
eral Godley of the Third Corps. 

On August 25 the new division headquarters were opened in the chateau 
at Tronville-en-Barrois, and next morning the last of the units arrived. 
On the 28th began a ten days' period of training, including several terrain 
exercises. On September 3 the command was joined by the first regiment 
of the Fifty-second Artillery Brigade (Brigadier General George Albert Win- 
gate) which belonged to the Twenty-seventh (New York) Division, but which 
had been attached to the Thirty-third. On the 5th orders from the First 
American Army placed the Thirty-third Division "at the disposal of the II 
French Army," which in turn attached it to the Seventeenth French Army 
Corps (General Henri Claudel) and directed it to move to the Blercourt area, 
southwest of Verdun, on the night of September 5-6. 

Headed by the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade, this march ended on Sep- 
tember 8, but, meantime, under orders from the Seventeenth French Corps, 




DIVISION HEADQUARTERS AT FROMEREVILLE 
Note the sandbags and the road camouflage. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



I2S 



the relief of the 120th French Division in the Mort Homme and Cumieres 
sector and of the right regiment of the 157th French Division in the sector of 
Hill 304 had commenced. This operation was effected during the nights of 
September 7-9, and command of these sectors passed at 8 a. m. on the loth 
to the Thirty-third Division, the headquarters of which were established that 
morning at Fromereville. On the night of September 11-12, the Fifty-second 
Field Artillery Brigade occupied the Bois des Sartelles, and at i a. m. on 
the 12th its firing batteries — which had been hurried up in advance of the 
others — together with all the machine guns of the division, participated in 
the demonstration fire along part of the allied front for the purpose of cover- 
ing the American attack on the St. Mihiel salient that morning. On the 
nights of September 13-14 and 15-16, the rest of the 157th French Division was 
relieved by the Seventy-ninth American Division (Major General Joseph E. 
Kuhn), and on the 14th both the Thirty-third and the Seventy-ninth divisions 
were transferred from the Seventeenth French Army Corps to the Third 
American Corps (Major General Robert L. Bullard). By the 17th the area 
of the latter corps, as well as that of the entire First American Army, had 
become congested by the forces which had been sent forward in anticipation 
of a general attack and, in consequence, certain rectifications of position took 
place on the night of the 2ist-2 2nd, in order 
to compress the former area of the Thirty- 
third Division into a smaller space and thus 
permit the Fourth and Eightieth Divisions 
to be interlarded between the Thirty-third 
and Seventy-ninth Divisions. 

The next three days were important 
for the various orders issued, the prepara- 
tions made for the great offensive by the 
First American Army, and the transfer of 
the posts of command of the Thirty-third 
Division and the Fifty-second Field Artillery 
Brigade from Fromereville to "P. C. la 
Hutte," a dugout in the Bois Bourrus. 

From September 6 to 25 a number of 
officers and men were sent to various schools 
in compliance with orders. The maximum 
instruction possible under the circum.stances 
was given, particularly in the use of every 
available weapon. No effort was spared to 
instill into officers and men the utmost esprit 
de corps and relentless initiative. At the 
same time every precaution was taken to 
guard against gas attacks and hostile aerial 
observation. major general bullard 

The demonstration fire on the morning Commander of the Third Army Corps. 



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126 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



of September 12 transformed the so-called 
"quiet sector" of Verdun into one of con- 
stantly increasing activity. During the week 
prior to the 26th a never-ending stream of 
troops, officers on reconnaissance, artillery 
and transport poured through the area of 
the Thirty-third Division, intent on get- 
ting to the front with all possible speed, irre- 
spective of traffic regulations and the in- 
sistence of higher authority upon the con- 
cealing of troop movements, but by drastic 
measures the movements of these offenders 
were restricted to the hours of darkness. 
Fortunately this week was attended by 
cloudy or rainy weather, which greatly ham- 
pered aerial observation, and the enemy 
confined his artillery fire to harassing the 
roads and forward areas which were crowded 
with troops and materiel of every sort for 
several days preceding the beginning of the battle. 

To the German offensive on July 15, 1918, made on a front of 60 miles 
from Chateau-Thierry through Reims to the Main de Massiges, Marshal 
Foch responded, on the i8th, by a counter-stroke, which developed during 
the next two months into an allied offensive along almost the entire western 
front, consisting of incessant blows which wrested from the Germans all pos- 
sibihty of retaking the initiative. September 26 was the date scheduled for 
an operation of major importance to be made by the concerted action of the 




GENERAL MANGIN 

Commander of the Second French 
Army in the Meuse-Argonne campaign. 




THE CITADEL OF SEDAN 
Sedan was the ultimate objective of the Americans in the Meuse-Argonne battle. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



127 



Second French Army 
(General Mangin) west 
of the Argonne and by 
the First i^merican Army 
( General Pershing ) be- 
tween that forest and the 
Meuse, its eventual ob- 
jectives being Sedan and 
Mezieres. The capture 
of these two places would 
not only shut off all sup- 
plies from the German 
forces dependent upon 
the railways converging 
there, but would cut the 
belt railway from the 
Vosges to Lille, which 
served as the enemy's 
principal means of sup- 
ply. Possession as far as 
Mezieres of the right 
bank of the Meuse — the 
last strong line of de- 
fense east of the Rhine 
— would seriously im- 
peril the enemy's retreat, 
force the evacuation of 
northern France and 

southern Belgium and lead, in all likelihood, to the capture or annihilation of 
the major part of the German armies in France. 

The First American Army was then composed of the First, Third, Fourth 
and Fifth American Corps, the Seventeenth French Army Corps and the Sec- 
ond Colonial Army Corps. Its attack was to be made in the direction of 
Buzancy and Stonne by the Third Corps (Major General Bullard) on the 
right, the Fifth Corps ( Major General Cameron ) in the center, and the First 
Corps (Major General Liggett) on the left, the Third maintaining liaison with 
the French Seventeenth Army Corps east of the Meuse and the Fifth with 
General Mangin's army west of the Argonne. The mission of the Third Corps 
was to break through the enemy's positions between Forges Creek ( the Ruis- 
seau de Forges) and the Bois de Foret, and to advance northward from the 
latter, organizing the west bank of the Meuse for defense as it progressed. Its 
attack was to be made with three divisions in the front line, the Thirty-third 
(Major General Bell) on the east, adjacent to the Meuse, the Eightieth 
(Major General Cronkhite) in the center and the Fourth (Major General 
Hines) on the west. The first objective was the enemy's second position 




ASTRIDE THE MEUSE 

The Thirty-third's sector during the first and second phases of 
the Meuse-Argonne campaign. 



128 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



known as the H a g e n 
Stcllung Nord, its second 
objective the Volkcr Stcl- 
lung, both of which were 
to be attained on the first 
day. 

The plan of the 
Thirty-third Division, 
framed in conformity 
with these orders, con- 
templated an attack 
against the enemy from 
the Meuse westward to 
the Passarelle du Don 
by the Sixty-sixth Infan- 
try Brigade (Brigadier 
General Wolf). The 131st Infantry (Colonel Sanborn) on the left was to 
reach the open terrain north of Drillancourt and east of the village of Gercourt 
et Drillancourt and the Tranchee du Bois Jure as rapidly as possible, thereby 
assisting the 132nd Infantry (Colonel Abel Davis) to capture the Bois de 
Forges. At the conclusion of the operation a line was to be occupied along 
the river from the Cote de I'Oie to Dannevoux. This brigade was reenforced 
by Company A, First Gas and Flame Regiment, and its reserve consisted of 
one battalion of the 130th Infantry near Cumieres. The divisional reserve 
was composed of the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade (Brigadier General King), 




THE ROAD THROUGH MARRE 

The signs were erected by the Americans 




AT THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF BOIS DE FORGES 
The graves of men of the Thirty-third Division. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



131 




GERMAN AID STATION AT DRILLANCOURT 



part of the 108th Engi- 
n e e r s ( Colonel Allen) 
and the 122nd Machine 
Gun Battalion ( INIaior 
M. B. South wick I. In 
brief, the crux of this at- 
tack was a turning move- 
ment for the purpose of 
surrounding the Bois dc 
Forges, an exceptionally 
formidable position bris- 
tling with machine guns, 
which had successfully 
defied the French and 

which the Germans boasted could never be taken by direct assault. This 
plan was originally suggested by Major Bertier de Sauvigny, a French liaison 
officer at the headquarters of the Third Corps and formerly French military 
attache at Washington, and so obvious were its advantages that it was ac- 
cepted as the best that could be devised. 

Opposed to the Thirty-third Division was the 115th Division, containing 
many troops from Alsace and Lorraine and extending from the river to Malan- 
court, the 40th Regiment on the east, the 136th in the center and the 171st 
on the west. The entire terrain in the region of Verdun is of extraordinary 
natural strength and consists of a series of ridges affording excellent oppor- 
tunity for observation and flanking fire. It had been fortified with every 
device known to military engineering, and the Germans had constructed a 
succession of powerful systems known as the Ha gen Stellitng Nord, the Ha gen 
Stcllung Sud, the Volker Stellnng and the Kriemhilde Stclhing. To reach the 
first of these necessitated crossing Forges Creek, an insignificant stream in 

the dry season, but then 
greatly swollen by the 
recent rains until its 
marshy approaches had 
been converted into spe- 
cies of morass. 

At 11:30 p. m. on 
S-^ptember 25 all the 
corps artillery of the 
First American Army 
opened i t s preparation 
fire. Three hours later 
the army artillery joined 
in and the troops as- 
A GERMAN TRENCH MORTAR scmbled in the front 

Captured by the 132nd Infantry near Forges trencheS. In the Thirty- 




132 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



third Division, the loSth Engineers, who had prepared 12,000 fascines and 
other material, began the construction of nine foot-bridges over the stream, 
while the io8th Field Signal Battalion finished laying a cable over the Meuse 
for lateral communication with the Eighteenth French Division { General 
Andlauer) east of the river. At 5:30 a. m. on Thursday, September 26, the 
divisional artillery opened with a standing barrage along the Forges-Bethin- 
court road, under cover of which the 131st and 132nd Infantry Regiments 
crossed the valley of the Forges and reformed along that road. At 6:27 a. m. 
the rolling barrage commenced and the attack was launched. 

No attempt will be made here to describe this battle in detail, inasmuch 
as the operations of the various units of the Thirty-third Division are nar- 




THE BEGINNING OF ONE OF THE PASSERALLES ACROSS FORGES SWAMP 



rated elsewhere in this work. Suffice to say that, of the 131st Infantry, the 
first battalion, although held up for about an hour a short distance from the 
jumping-off line, successfully overcame all resistance, and at 10:10 a, m, 
reached its objective facing the Meuse between the road leading to Consenvoye 
and the Laiterie de Belhame, a distance of seven kilometers. It was followed 
at n a. m. by the third battalion and at 12 115 p. m. by the second battalion, 
both of which underwent a variety of vicissitudes. On the right, the 132nd 
Infantry was equally successful, and at 10 a. m. had reached its objective 
south of the 131st, having covered five kilometers and performed the remark- 
able feat of driving the enemy out of the Bois de Forges, and, incidentally, 
having just failed to capture the German commander there. Companies B and 
A, 124th Machine Gun Battalion, accompanied the T3ist and 132nd Infantry 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



133 




THE OLD BRIDGE OVER FORGES CREEK 

Blown up by the Germans before the attack of September 



respectively, and Com- 
panies C and D, after 
finishing the barrage in 
v/ h i c h the 122nd and 
123rd Machine Gun Bat- 
taHons participated, fol- 
lowed with the support 
battalions of those regi- 
ments. 

The achievement of 
the Sixty-sixth Infantry 
Brigade was little short 
of astounding. The care- 
fully thought-out plans 
were followed with re- 
markable precision. Approximately 1,400 German officers and men were made 
prisoners, and the captures included 7 pieces of heavy and 12 of light artillery, 
10 trench mortars and 161 machine guns. These results, together with the 
taking of the Bois de Forges — one of the most formidable positions in the 
entire Verdun sector — in three hours and thirty-three minutes after jumping 
off, were eft'ected with a loss limited to 2 officers and 34 other ranks killed, and 
2 officers and 203 other ranks wounded, a total of 241. The work of the 
auxiliary arms — artillery, engineers and machine gun units — was equally com- 
mendatory. The resourcefulness of the machine gun battalions was demon- 
strated by the barrage with which they neutralized the fire from the enemy's 
nests in the Bois de Forges while the infantry turned the position — the first 
instance of the sort in the war. 

The role of the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade as the division reserve was 
necessarily passive, and about i p. m. acknowledgment was made to General 
Bullard of the receipt of orders constituting it the reserve for the Third Corps. 

It is a fact of inter- 
est, that in these initial 
attacks of the Meuse- 
Argonne campaign the 
Thirty-third was the only 
American division to 
reach its objective on 
scheduled time. 

From September 27 
to October 7, both inclu- 
sive, the Thirty- third 
participated in no major 
operation but formed the 
pivot of the American at- 
MAIN ROAD THROUGH THE BOIS DE FORGES tacks between the river 




134 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



and the Argonne. The 
positions gained by the 
Sixty-sixth Infantr}^ Bri- 
gade were consolidated 
and held under incessant 
fire and gas attacks from 
both banks of the Meuse, 
while the Sixty-fifth In- 
fantry Brigade pushed 
its units northward to 
the edge of the river, oc- 
cupied the Bois de Dan- 
nevoux and the Bois de 
la Cote Lemont, and held 
this sector under condi- 
tions requiring great res- 
oluteness on the part of 
officers and men. The io8th Engineers were kept occupied with work pe- 
culiar to their arm. They constructed a new road from Cumieres to Raffecourt 
which proved of inestimable value in supplying the troops with food and 
ammunition, inasmuch as the road along the left bank of the Meuse was under 
direct observation and continual fire from the enemy on the dominating heights 
east of the river. 

On October 4 the Third Corps made its largest gain since the attack of 
September 26. At that time the 132nd Infantry was withdrawn from the Bois 
de Forges sector and placed in the corps reserve at Malancourt. Two days 




A CAPTURED GERMAN 77 
Left by the Germans near Forges. 









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ON THE CUMIERES-RAFFECOURT ROAD 

The road and the bridge over Forges Creek were built by the loSth Engineers. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



135 





later it was returned to the Thirty- 
third Division, but its third bat- 
tahon and machine gun company, 
under Major John J. BuUington, 
were attached to the Fourth Di- 
vision and that night reheved the 
Fifty-eighth Infantry and part of 
the Fifty-ninth Infantry in the Bois 
du Fays. On the loth and nth it 
participated in an advance through 
the Bois de Malaumont and the Bois 
de Foret, and retained this position 
until the night of October 13, when 
it was relieved and rejoined the 
132nd Infantry near Hill 281. Dur- 
ing its operations with the Fourth 
Division the battalion performed its 
mission in a manner which elicited 
high praise. 

On October 6 the Thirty-third 
Division was transferred from the 
Third American Corps to the Seven- 
teenth French Army Corps (General 
Henri Claudel) which attacked east 
of the Meuse on the 8th. In this 
difficult and delicate operation, which 

was effected with remarkable precision under the orders of General Andlauer, 
the Fifteenth and Tenth Colonial Divisions on the east maintained a de- 
fensive role, and the Twenty-sixth and Eighteenth French divisions (Generals 
Belenet and Andlauer) were launched northeast against the Bois de Caures, 
the Bois d'Haumont and the Bois d'Ormont. 

From Samogneux, where the French front trenches terminated at the 
Meuse, the river flows northwest, and the fan-shaped terrain between the stream 
and the line of advance of the Eighteenth French Division was successively 
filled by the Fifty-eighth Infantry Brigade (Twenty-ninth American Division) 
and by troops of the Thirty-third Division which joined in on the left as the 
attack progressed. The latter were composed of the first and second bat- 
talions of the 132nd Infantry, Companies A and D, 124th Machine Gun Bat- 
talion, and the second battalion and machine gun company, 131st Infantry, 
all under the command of Colonel Abel Davis. For their passage two bridges 
had to be built — one at Brabant 120 feet long in water 12 feet deep and an- 
other at Consenvoye 156 feet in length in 16 feet of water — but, notwithstand- 
ing that this work was performed under direct observation and heavy artillery 
fire from the enemy on the heights, the io8th Engineers accomplished their 
task before the time allotted for the crossing. In spite of the opposition en- 



THE i32nd'£ objective 
Where Company G dug in on September 26. 



136 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



countered, the troops un- 
der Colonel Davis 
reached their normal ob- 
jective south of the Bois 
de Chaume and dug in 
for the night. At 6 a. m. 
on October 9 they re- 
sumed their advance and, 
in the face of stubborn 
resistance, attained the 
second exploitation ob- 
jective — the road from 
Sivry-sur-Meuse to the 
Villeneuve Farm. The 
F i f t 3^-eighth Infantry 
Brigade ( Twenty-ninth 
American Division ) was 
unable to keep pace with them and, in consequence, their right was perilously 
exposed. The enemy was quick to take advantage of the opportunity thus 
offered and by a powerful attack made at twilight by picked German shock 
troops drove the right of Colonel Davis' command back to the trenches south 
of the Bois de Chaume from which his forces had started that morning. The 
first battalion, forming the extreme left, clung to its position until 10 p. m. 
As soon as the news of this repulse reached General Bell, he acted with 
characteristic energy and judgment. As it was evident that larger forces were 
needed on the east bank, reenforcements were hurried across the IMeuse and 
Brigadier General Wolf was placed in command. The third battalion and 




THE TOWN OF BRABANT 






f^-' 



.^■]^r r ^ 





ONE OF THE INFANTRY PASSERALLES OVER THE MEUSE AT CONSENVOYE 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



137 



the machine gun com- 
pany, 129th Infantry, 
had already crossed, fol- 
lowed by Company B, 
122nd Machine Gun 
Battalion. That night 
the first and third bat- 
talions of the 131st In- 
fantry, Company B of 
the 124th Machine Gun 
Battalion, the first and 
second battalions of the 
129th Infantry, the third 
battalion of the 130th 
Infantry, and Company 
A of the 122nd Machine 
Gun Battalion were hastily moved to the east bank of the Meuse River. 
At 6:05 a. m. on October 10 these troops, which were operating under 
the direction of Brigadier General Wolf of the Sixty-sixth Brigade, made a 
brilliant attack which even picked German troops were unable to stem, and 
before 11 o'clock had regained every foot of ground relinquished the day 
before. The troops dug in a short distance from the second exploitation ob- 
jective in the valley Dans les Vaux and the Ravin de la Vaux de Mille Mais, 
the right; which remained exposed for several days, bent back en potence for 
safety. These positions were consolidated and held until the night of the 




THE WORK OF THE io8th ENGINEERS 
One of the bridges over the Meuse at Consenvoye. 




(Harris and Nickerson) 



"TOOT SWEET CORNER" IN CONSENVOYE 



All supplies for the Thirty-third Division during the Meuse-Argonne drive were sent over this 
road. The Germans had the exact range of this corner and dropped their shells with clock-like 
regularity. As the French said, it was a spot from which to move "tout de suite." 



138 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




THE SCENE OF THE FIGHTING ON OCTOBER lo, iqi8 
Photographed at 2 p. m. on that day, from an altitude of i,,';oo meters. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



139 



1 4th- 1 5 th when a mutual 
relief was effected be- 
tween the Sixty-fifth and 
Sixty-sixth Infantry Bri- 
gades, the former taking 
over the sector east of 
the Meuse comprising 
the Bois de Chaume and 
the Bois du Plat Chene, 
and the latter the sector 
west of the river embrac- 
ing the Bois de Danne- 
voux and the Bois de la 
Cote Lemont, 

The task assigned 
the forces of the Thirty- 
third Division operating 
on the east bank since October 8 assuredly had been well done. They had 
broken through the Hagcn Stcllwig and the Volker Stellung and had reached 
the Giselher Stellung — the enemy's principal line of resistance. They had 
taken 24 officers and 1,002 men prisoners; they had captured 31 pieces of 
artillery, 136 machine guns, more than 200 rifles and thousands of rounds of 
ammunition, besides a large quantity of clothing, shoes and equipment. These 
achievements are thus admirably summarized in General Wolf's report: 




A STRONG GERMAN MACHINE GUN POST 

In a house at Sivry-sur-Meuse, opposite the positions of the 
third battaUon, 131st Infantry. 




AFTER THE ADVANCE AT CONSENVOYE 

Chaplain C. M. Finnell, 124th Machine Gun Battalion, and Captain Hall, division burial officer, 

burying Thirty-third Division dead, one mile north of Consenvoye, October 15, 1918- 



140 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



''From October 9 to 15, our troops were constantly subjected to very 
heavy fire from artillery and machine guns, gas, airplane attacks and fire from 
snipers. The difficulty of getting food to those in the line was very great 
owing to the presence of mustard gas, and to add to their discomfort it rained 
nearly every day. The above difficulties combined with a lack of opportunity 
to sleep were serious in themselves, but the men hung on without complaining 
and without thought of giving an inch unless ordered to do so. They showed 
conclusively the magnificent spirit of the American troops. Their fortitude 
under adverse conditions will always remain an example of heroic valor worthy 
of emulation." 

Small wonder that, on October 15, the Thirty-third Division was cited 
in general orders by the French corps commander. 

On that same day the Seventeenth Army Corps launched another attack 
and, in conformity therewith, the second battalion, 129th Infantry, advanced 
1,000 yards to its objective. On its right the Twenty-ninth Division encoun- 
tered such opposition that it was unable to make the expected progress and 
the second battalion, 129th Infantry, therefore, was compelled to fall back to 
its former position in the Bois du Plat Chene. On the i6th this attack was re- 







BEHIND THE LINES 

A moment of rest for men and beasts, near Brabant, October 10, igiS. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



141 




9.23 A. 



2n^ EY^PLOlTATlpN 



\'* M.Gf>- 3r)d Outpobh 
" pushed to top of hill 
\ at riiQht- ' 
Resched 10 AM. 

and Ime 

solidated 

as per ^0.19 (,6** 



THE OPERATIONS EAST OF THE MEUSE RIVER 
As shown by the operations maps of the 131st Infantry. 



142 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




newed and the advance 
of the Twenty-ninth Di- 
vision was attended with 
more success. As a result 
the second battahon, 
129th Infantry, was able 
to reach and consolidate 
its new position. 

Under conditions 
similar to those endured 
by the other forces, the 
Sixty-fifth Infantry Bri- 
gade held its positions 
from October 15 until 
relieved by the Fifteenth 
Colonial Infantry Divi- 
sion ( French ) . This re- 
lief began in the sector 
of the Sixty-sixth In- 
fantry Brigade west of 
the Meuse on the night of October 19-20, continued in both sectors 
on the following night and terminated on the night of the 2ist-2 2nd, when 
the last element of the Thirty-third Division was replaced by French Colo- 
nials. Forty-four days had elapsed from the time the first troops of the 
division had occupied the trenches at Verdun until the last unit was relieved. 
From October 8 until October 21 the Thirty-third Division, astride of the 
Meuse and subjected to incessant fire day and night from the enemy on the 
dominating heights, held a front of ten kilometers, forming the right of the 
American forces attacking west of the river and the left of the Seventeenth 
French Army Corps operating east of the Meuse. 



A BIG GUN AT DAXXEVOUX 

Showing the hoist and railroad track used in handling 
ammunition. 




A VIEW OF DUN-SUR-MEUSE 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



143 




DIVISION HEADQUARTERS AT TROYON 



Upon its relief the 

T h i r t y-third Division 

marched by night to the 

sector of Troyon-siir- 

Meuse, staging each day 

in various woods to avoid 

observation by hostile 

airplanes. This sector — 

which included the cel- 
ebrated position of Les 

Eparges, the scene of 

such desperate fighting 

in 191 5 and 1Q16 — was 

then occupied by the 

Seventy-ninth American Division (Major General Joseph E. Kuhn ) and the 

Fifty-fifth Field Artillery (Brigadier General J. A. Kilbreth), belonging to 

the Thirtieth Division. On the nights of October 23, 24 and 25, this division 

was relieved by the Thirty-third, which meanwhile had been assigned to the 

Second Colonial Army Corps (Gen- 
eral Blondlat). The Fifty-fifth 
Field Artillery Brigade, being un- 
able to move its guns owing to an 
insufficiency of horses, was attached 
to the Thirty-third Division, while 
the Fifty-second Field Artillery 
Brigade, upon arriving a few miles 
from the positions where it was to 
relieve the Fifty-fifth, was de- 
tached, marched back to Verdun 
with the Seventy-ninth Division, 
and was sent into the line near Con- 
senvoye on the nights of October 
28 and 29, its troops, tired by nearly 
seven weeks of continuous opera- 
tions, occupying positions within a 
radius of two miles from the spot 
where one of its units had been 
relieved on the night of the 20th- 
2 1 St. On the 26th the post of com- 
mand of the Thirty-third Division 
was established at Troyon-sur- 
Meuse, and on the nights of the 
27th and 28th the Thirty-ninth 
French Infantry Division was re- 
lieved jointly by the Thirty-third 




"THIS IS THE WAY" 

^._ Colonel (later Brigadier General) Kilbreth, 
55th F. A. Brigade, and General W. J. Nicholson, 
-15 7th F. A. Brigade, conferring at Mouilly. Gen- 
eral Nicholson was commander of the first R. O. 
T. C. at Fort Sheridan in 191 7. 



144 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



and Twenty- eighth 
American Divisions, with 
the result that the Thir- 
ty-third occupied a front- 
a g e of approximately 
twelve kilometers. 

The region of Troy- 
on-sur-Meuse was at that 
time considered a '"quiet 
sector," but it rapidly de- 
veloped into a distinctly 
lively area, particularly 
after the mediocre Aus- 
trians were replaced by 
COMMANDING GENERALS BILLET AT TROYON picked German troops, 

Photographed from the garden. ^j^^ ^^^^ Ordered at all 

costs to hold this sector, which was considered the key to Metz. The period 
from October 27 to November 5, 191 8, was characterized by constant, harass- 
ing fire from the enemy artillery and by unusual activity in the shape of con- 
tinual patrols and frequent raids by the Americans. The first of these patrols 
was sent out on the night of October 28-29 in conformity with orders from 
the corps commander, and thereafter they were of daily and nightly occur- 
rence, some of them being decidedly productive of results in prisoners taken 
and information gained. The first raid was made early on the morning of 
November 7 against the Chateau et Ferme d' Aulnois by Companies A and 
C, 130th Infantry, and resulted in the killing of nine of the enemy and the 
capture of one officer, twenty-one men, two heavy and four light machine 





THE THIRTY-THIRD IN TROYON, OCTOBER 26 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



145 




guns. The second raid 
was made on November 

8 against St. Hilaire by 
two provisional com- 
panies from the 131st 
Infantry but achieved 
Httle, while the third 
raid, made against the 
same town on November 

9 by a like force from 
that regiment effected the 
destruction of numerous 
machine gun posts, al- 
though none of the 
enemy were encoun- 
tered. 

The last two days 
immediately preceding the armistice were characterized by attacks of a much 
more serious nature, which were made in force. At 5:45 a. m. on November 
10, the second battalion, 130th Infantry, under protection of a heavy fire of 
artillery and machine guns, assaulted the strongly fortified town of Marche- 
ville. By 10 a. m. the attacking forces had captured the town, taking six 
officers, eighty-four men, twelve machine guns and a 150 mm. howitzer. They 
followed up their successes by repulsing four counterattacks. 

During the night of the gth-ioth, the 131st Infantry drove the enemy 
out of the Bois les Hautes Epines, the Bois la Vachere and the Bois de War- 
ville, occupying the village of St. Hilaire about dawn. Shortly before noon 



IN THE CEMETERY AT ST. HILAIRE 



i 












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^^'^^^'^rrw^TT^ 


1 



THE VILLAGE OF THILLOT-SOUS-LES-COTES 
The starting point for the raids on St. Hilaire. 



146 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




AT THE EDGE OF THE BOIS DES HAUTES EPINES 
Explosion of a shell on the 131st Infantry's front. 



an attack against La 
Bertaucourt Ferme was 
made by Company A, 
followed about an hour 
later by an offensive 
against the Bois d'Har- 
ville by the third bat- 
talion, supported by the 
second battalion of the 
131st Infantry and by 
Companies A and B, 
124th Machine Gun Bat- 
talion. The troops par- 
ticipating in this bril- 
liant attack broke 
through the Kriemhildc 
Stellung and reached 
their objective about 
3:20 p. m., thus gaining 
possession of the entire 
southern portion of that 
formidable wood. The 
capture of the Bois 
d'Harville, coupled with that of Marcheville, wrested from the Germans two 
of the most important positions of the Hindenburg system in the Troyon 
sector, the loss of which was considered as synonymous with the fall of Metz. 
On November ii, at 5 a. m., the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade, headed by 
the 129th Infantry, resumed its attack in a heavy fog, over a terrain flooded by 
the enemy and in the face of extremely heavy fire from hostile artillery and 
machine guns. By 9 o'clock it was in possession of the Chateau d'Aulnois, 
Riaville and INIarcheville and was still advancing when the news was received 
that the armistice had been signed and that hostilities would cease at 11 a. m. 
At 9:45 the recall was sounded, the units were halted and their fire arrested, 
although the enemy did not cease his bombardment until exactly 11 o'clock. 
Meanwhile, the initial attack of the Sixty-sixth Brigade had been made 
about 5:30 a. m. by a force of 150 men from the 131st and 132nd Infantry 
Regiments, moving from St. Hilaire against Butgneville, but so heavy was the 
enemy fire and so numerous were the obstacles encountered that this operation 
had to be suspended. The main attack was to be made against the unconquered 
portion of the Bois d'Harville and the fortified village of Jonville, and the 
troops were in the process of forming for this attack when, about 8:30 a. m., 
information regarding the armistice was received. The troops accordingly 
stood fast and all firing ceased — in marked contrast to the enemy artillerv 
and one machine gun in particular which continued to sing their "Hymn of 
Hate" until the stroke of 11 o'clock. If the progress which had been made 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



147 





U. S. ARMY FIELD MESSAGE 




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THE ORDER TO STOP FIGHTING 

As it was received by the Thirty-third Division. The order reads: i. Hostilities will be 
stopped on the entire front beginning on the eleventh of November eleven o'clock ( French 
time). 2. The allied troops will not go beyond, until further order, the line attained at that 
date and at that hour. Signed: Marsha! Foch. 

by the Thirty-third Division at that hour be any criterion, it is highly probable 
that by the end of the day it would have broken completely through the 
other enemy positions in the Troyon sector — the last German system of de- 
fense between the division and the fortifications of Metz, 

During the afternoon of the nth and the ensuing morning a general 
rectification of the positions of the Thirty-third Division took place, with the 
dual object of making the troops as comfortable as possible after their long 
toiirs of duty in the trenches at Verdun and Troyon, and of holding them in 
readiness for any future advance. The days immediately following the armis- 
tice were noteworthy for the stringent measures which had to be taken to 
prevent fraternization on the part of the Germans and to care for the hundreds 
of prisoners liberated by the enemy who streamed into the lines in a pitiful 
condition. 

The Thirty-third Division had passed on November 5 from the Second 
Colonial Army Corps to the Seventeenth Army Corps (General Hellot, vice 
General Claudel) and in the ensuing month it was transferred no less than 
four times. It was assigned on November 14 to the Fourth Corps, on the lyth 



148 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



to the reserve of the Second Army, on the 26th to the Ninth Corps, and on 
December 5 it went back to the reserve of the Second Army. During that 
period the training of the troops, which had been resumed on November 12, 
continued without interruption, with occasional terrain exercises. Great atten- 
tion was devoted to the thorough salvaging and policing of the areas occupied. 

On November 17 the Third Army (Major General Dickman) — the newly- 
created Army of Occupation — began its advance toward Luxemburg en route 
into Germany. To supply it with the requisite motor transport, it was neces- 
sary to strip the First and Second Armies of a large proportion of their trucks, 
and the Thirty-third Division, reduced to approximately half the number 
prescribed, found difficulty in functioning properly, especially since it was 
almost impossible to obtain spare parts for its motor transport. 

On November 18 Lieutenant Colonel William H. Simpson succeeded 
Brigadier General Naylor as chief of staff, as the latter had been transferred 
to the Ninth Corps. 

On December 7 the Thirty-third Division began its movement to the 
Leudelange area, southwest of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, and on the 
Sth it reached the region of Etain and Confians. On that same day the French 
took official possession of ]\Ietz and the procession, which was reviewed by 
President Poincare, Marshals Joffre, Foch and Petain, Field Marshal Sir Doug- 
las Haig and other important personages, was headed by a provisional battalion 




THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF THE ALLIES INTO METZ 

Marshal Petain led the procession, in which a provisional battalion of the 131st Infantry 

represented the Americans. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



149 




PANORAMA OF DIEKIRCH 

Wlierc the divisional headquarters of the Thirty-third were establislicd in December. 

from the 131st Infantry, commanded by Colonel Sanborn. The contingent of 
the 131st were the only foreign troops participating in that historic event. 

On the 9th the Thirty-third reached the line Norrey-IMancieulles; on the 
loth the Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade reached Esch, in Luxemburg, and the 
Sixty-fifth arrived at Villerupt. On the nth orders were received to remain 
south of the line running from Luxemburg, the capital of the Grand Duchy, 
to Remich; on the 12th the infantry brigades resumed their advance, which 
carried them to Hesperingen and Bartringen. At the conclusion of this move- 
ment the entire Thirty-third Division was concentrated in an area south and 
west of Luxemburg and only a few miles from that city. At the same time it 
passed out of the Second Army Reserve and was attached to the Seventh Corps, 
which formed part of the Third Army, better known as the ''Army of Occupa- 
tion." 

All ranks of the division welcomed the day of rest which was given them 
December 13, as they were decidedly fatigued after six days of continuous 
marching over muddy roads in a ceaseless downpour of rain. On the 14th, 
however, the movement was resumed eastward toward the division's new 
destination -the Saarburg area in Rhenish Germany — and that afternoon 
the leading units reached the INIoselle. On the 1 5th the Sixty-sixth Infantry 
Brigade crossed this river into Germany and pushed forward to the picturesque 
region of Saarburg, while the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade continued its move- 



I50 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




THE CHRISTMAS MILITARY BALL 

Given at Diekirch by the officers of the division, at the Grand Hotel Des Ardennes. 

ment north along the left bank as far as Manternach, its leading elements 
getting over the Sauer into German territory. The Fifty-fifth Field Artillery 
Brigade followed the Sixty-sixth as far as Remich, while the other units 
marched northeast on the heels of the Sixty-fifth. About noon information 
w^as received by telegraph that, since the number of American divisions to 
enter Germany had been limited to eight, the Thirty-third would be trans- 
ferred back to the Second Army. It was directed that its advance be arrested 

and that any units which 
had crossed the German 
frontier should be with- 
drawn into Luxemburg. 
The necessary orders 
were issued immediately 
and the leading elements 
of the Sixty-fifth Brigade 
withdrew the next day. 
It was not until the 17th, 
liowever, that the Sixty- 
sixth Brigade completed 
its retirement across the 
Moselle to Remich. At 
n o o n that day the 
T h i r t y-third Division 
passed out of the Army 
of Occupation, and again 




CHRISTMAS DINNER IN DIEKIRCH 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



151 



u'.i<si^i^**"— — - 






became part of the reserve of the 
Second Army. 

On December 18 the division 
was attached to the Sixth Corps and 
the leading units began their advance 
northwest toward Diekirch; on the 
19th the entire command was in 
movement, and on the 20th the 
troops reached the area which, save 
for certain slight modifications, they 
were destined to occupy for four 
months. The division lieadquarters 
were established at Diekirch and sev- 
eral other units were billeted in that 
town; the region of Ettelbriick was 
occupied by the Sixty-fifth Brigade 
and that of the Chateau of Meysem- 

bourg by the Sixty-sixth; the io8th Engineers were stationed further east at 
Medernach. and the 122nd Machine Gun Battalion occupied Canach in the 
southeastern part of the Grand Duchy. The Fifty-fifth Field Artillery Brigade 
remained at Remich on the Moselle. 

The mission of the division, which constituted part of the reserve of the 
Army of Occupation, was to guard the lines of communication and various 
dumps of the allied forces and to preserve order within the Duchy of Luxem- 
burg north of the line Remich to Redange, both inclusive. As a matter of 
fact, the Luxemburgers showed themselves exceptionally friendly and the 
stay of the division in the Grand Duchy proved extraordinarily pleasant. 




DEMONSTRATION OF BRACKET FIRE 




ANOTHER VIEW OF THE BRACKET FIRE DEMONSTRATION AT VIARDEN 

Showing instructors and students grouped about the trench mortars. 




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THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



153 




A VIEW IN ECHTERNACH 



On December 20 
General Bell received 
notification that Lieu- 
tenant General BuUard 
had directed him, as 
senior division com- 
mander in the Sixth 
Corps, to "assume com- 
mand of that Corps," but 
four days later, after 
General Headquarters 
had learned of his assign- 
ment, he was relieved. 

During the occupa- 
tion of Luxemburg terri- 
tory, the troops of the 

Thirty-third Division were given continuous training, save for the period 
from Christmas to January 6, 1919. Numerous schools were established, 
and a large number of officers and men were sent away to other schools in 
compliance with orders. To bring the transport to the highest possible stand- 
ard, a number of horse shows were held, at which the animals, vehicles and 
equipment of the various units were rated. These competitions were so suc- 
cessful that a similar system was applied to the troops themselves. This 
brought about a remarkable improvement in the appearance of the men and 
their proficiency in the School of the Soldier. Dances and performances by 

theatrical troupes, organ- 
ized in the various units, 
afforded entertainment to 
officers and men alike; 
the division theatrical 
troupe achieved remark- 
able success wherever it 
appeared, especially in 
Paris, where it played for 
weeks to crowded houses. 
On January 5 the 
Fifty-fifth Field Artil- 
lery Brigade, which had 
been attached to the 
Twenty-eighth Division , 
started for Woinville. 
On the loth, the Fifty- 
eighth Field Artillery 
BOYS' SCHOOL AT DIEKIRCH Brigade (Brigadier Gen- 

Used as division headquarters. era! Henry D. Todd, Jr.) 




THE 



154 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



rejoined the division, and was billeted at Schon- 
fels, Bissen, Lintgen, Berschbach and Tuntingen. 
The separation of eight months was ended to the 
delight of both commands, and this brigade returned 
to its own with a remarkable record for gallantry, 
efficiency and esprit de corps, gained under particu- 
larly difficult conditions. 

The Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade occupied Ech- 
ternach and the region in its vicinity on January 1 1 . 
On the 2 0th, Brigadier General C. M. Wagstaff, of 
the British Expeditionary Forces, presented the dec- 
orations bestowed by the King of England on certain 
officers and men of the 131st Infantry fcr their 
gallantry at Chipilly Ridge and Gressaire Wood on 
August 9, 191 8. Following an inspection of the regi- 
ment, which was drawn up on three sides of the 
square at the village of Larochette, the Distinguished 
Service Order was conferred upon Colonel Sanborn 
and the Military Cross upon Second Lieutenant 
George W. Sherwood, while three men received the 

Distinguished Conduct Medal and fifteen others the Military Medal. 

During February, 1919, the number of officers and men detached from the 

units to attend schools within the division or elsewhere reached such propor- 




LT. SHERWOOD RE- 
CEIVES MILITARY CROSS 




THE CEREMONIES AT LAROCHETTE 
Brigadier General Wagstaff decorating officers and men of the 131st Infantry. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



155 




(llanis and N.ekersoii) 

REVIEWING THE PRIZE-WIXXING TEAMS AT DIEKIRCH 
Left to right: Lieutenant Colonel Schwengel, Captain Woodward, Major General Bell, 
Major General McAndrew, Brigadier General Fiske, Lieutenant St. Louis, Brigadier General 
Wolf, Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds, Lieutenant Colonel Simpson. 

tions as to handicap considerably the training of the troops. Apart from this 
training and the usual routine, the month was particularly noteworthy for the 
series of inspections inaugurated with a view to rating the units according to 
their proiiciency — to which allusion has already been made — for the letters 
of commendation received from Lieutenant General Bullard respecting the 
conduct of the division in the Meuse-Argonne battle and from the adjutant 
general on the '^splendid" condition of its animals and transport, and for the 
division horse show held at Diekirch on February 27. The horse show was 
a remarkable success and was given additional interest by the presence of 
the Grand Duchess of Luxemburg, the members of her suite, the corps com- 
mander, the chief of staff of the Second Army and other important persons. 

During March, 1Q19, additional schools were established and a large 
number of officers and men were sent to the A. E. F. University at Beaune, 
Cote d'Or, France, as students and instructors. On the 20th, the Thirty- 
third carried off the first honors at the horse show of the Sixth Corps held in 
the city of Luxemburg. The Thirty- third also held a very successful motor 
transport show at Diekirch on the 27th. On the 12th the ratings of the horse 
transport of the units were published, the highest being that of the Thirty- 
third Military Police Company with a total of 279.48 out of a possible 300. 

During the first three months of 1919 numerous decorations — American, 
British and French — had been awarded to officers and men of the Thirty-third 
Division and on March 17, out of sixty-three Medals of Honor given in the 




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THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



157 




CHAMPION FIVE-HORSE TEAMS OF THE 33RD DIVISIOX 
First prize, 132nd Infantry (at left); second prize, 122nd Field Artillery (at right). 



entire A. E. F., eight had been conferred upon the Thirty-third Division. 

During April there were a number of competitions in rifle and pistol 
shooting as well as machine gun matches, but on the 8th all schools were dis- 
continued. On the first of the month, the division was transferred out of 
the Sixth Corps and again became part of the Army of Occupation. On the 
6th General Desticker, Marshal Foch's first assistant chief of staff, formally 
presented Croix de Guerre to nine officers and twenty-five men of the division. 
On the yth the headquarters of the Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade were moved 
from Echternach to Dommeldingen. The division commander reviewed that 
brigade on the gth and the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade on the following day. 
The Thirty-third Division carried off first honors at the Sixth Corps motor 
show held at Luxemburg April 1 1 , and took second place in the international 
horse show held by the Army of Occupation at Coblenz from the 23rd to the 
27th. On April 12 the Thirty-third Division was transferred from the Third 
Army to the Services of Supply, and three days later came the welcome news 
that its movement to Brest would commence on the 24th. 

The most notable event of the month took place on April 22, when the 
Thirty-third Division was inspected and reviewed by General Pershing, the 
commander-in-chief of the A. E. F.. in the presence of a large assemblage which 
included Prince Leopold of Belgium. Secretary of War Newton D. Baker and 
iMajor General Keppel-Bethel of the British Army. At the termination of 
the review. General Pershing personally presented to many officers and men 
the American decorations awarded them. He presented to General Bell and 



158 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



General Wolf the Distinguished Service Medal — General King having already 
obtained this decoration at Chaumont on March 23. To three men he gave 
the coveted Medal of Honor, and to twenty-two officers and eighty-one enhsted 
men the Distinguished Service Cross. By his direction battle streamers were 
placed on the colors of all the regiments as wtII as those of the machine gun 
battalions and the field signal battalion. The commander-in-chief evidently 
was pleased with the ''fine appearance" of the troops, to judge by the letter 
he wrote on the following day to General Bell, which will h? found on page 170. 
The Thirty-third Division began entraining on April 25 for the journey 
to Brest, but it was not until the first of J\Iay that the last units had left the 
Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, where they had spent more than four delightful 
months. The stay at Brest was without particular interest except for the 
presentation by Vice Admiral jMoreau, on ]May 7. of the Legion of Honor to 
Generals Bell, Wolf and King and Colonel Sanborn, and for the receipt of a 
farewell letter from Andre Tardieu, the French commissioner-general. The 
division commander, with the 132nd Infantry and the 122nd and the 124th 
Machine Gun Battalions, sailed ^May 9 on the transport Mount Vernon, reach- 
ing New York on the 17th, when they were welcomed by a delegation of Illinois 
officials and citizens headed by Governor Lowden. As the successive units 
arrived, they disembarked at Hoboken and were sent to Camp IMills, Long 









THE CROWD AT THE SIXTH CORPS MOTOR SHOW, AT LUXEMBURG 

Where the Thirty-third Division took first honors. 



THE THIRTY -THIRD DIVISION 



159 



S^ 




Island, whence after a 
short stay, they pro- 
ceeded by rail to Chi- 
cago. 

The efforts of Gov- 
ernor Lowden and other 
Illinois officials to obtain 
permission from the War 
Department for a review 
of the entire division in 
Chicago was unavailing, 
but consent was obtained 
for three reviews as the 
successive increments 
arrived. Nothing could 
have exceeded the en- 
thusiasm with which the 
people of Chicago wel- 
comed the veterans. 
Each contingent paraded 
over flower-strewn 
streets and passed in re- 
view before Governor 
Lowden. The dates of 
these reviews and the 
troops participating in 
them were as follows : 

May 27, 1919: 

Division Headquarters (Major General George Bell, Jr.). 

Headquarters Troop (Captain Herbert W. Styles). 

6.15th Infantry Brigade Headquarters (Brigadier General Edward L. King). 

132nd Infantry (Colonel Abel Davis). 

130th Infantry (Colonel John V. Clinnin). 

124th Machine Gun Battalion (Major Floyd F. Putman). 

123rd Machine Gun Battalion (Major Albert L. Culbertson). 

122nd Machine Gun Battalion (Captain E. C. Daly). 

Railhead Detachment. 

108th Mobile Ordnance Repair Shop (First Lieutenant Clay M. Donner). 
June 2, 1919: 

66th Infantry Brigade Headquarters (Brigadier General Paul A. Wolf, who had, however, 
remained in France as captain of the. A. E. F. team which won the inter-allied rifle and 
pistol match at Lc Mans on June 23 to 25, iqiq). 

i3Tst Infantry (Colonel Joseph B. Sanborn). 

1 20th Infantry (Colonel Edgar A. Myer). 

io8th Train Headquarters and Military Police (Colonel Charles D. Center). 

108th Ammunition Train (Lieutenant-CTolonel Walter J. Fisher). 

108th Supply Train (Major William Hendrie). 
June s, 1019: 

SSth Field Artillery Brigade Headquarters (Brigadier General Henry D. Todd, Jr.). 

122nd Field Artillery (Colonel Milton J. Foreman). 




GENERAL PERSHING ADDRESSES THE DIVISION AT 
ETTELBRUCK 



i6o 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




THE COLORS OF ALL UXLIS OF THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 

Assembled just prior to the ceremonies of decoratino; the colors at the Ettelbriick review. 

123rd Field Artillery (Colonel Charles G. Davis). 

T24 Field Artillery (Colonel Horatio B. Hackett). 

io8ih Engineers (Colonel Henry A. Allen). 

108th Engineer Train (First Lieutenant Magnus P. Thompson). 

108th Field Signal Battalion (Major Milan A. Loosley). 

io8th Sanitarv Train (Lieutenant-Colonel George C. Amerson). 




A SEA OF HELMETS 



l62 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Upon detraining at various stations, the troops proceeded to Grant Park, 
where a reception of their relatives was held. At ii a. m. began the parade, 
headed in each instance by General Bell and reviewed by Governor Lowden. 
The parades were followed by banquets at different hotels, at the conclusion of 
which the troops entrained for Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois. At that camp 
the officers and men who were not of the regular establishment and who did 
not desire to remain in the army were rapidly and "honorably discharged" 
from the military service of the United States. Before the end of June, 191 9, 
this demobilization had been completed and the "Prairie Division" passed into 
history. 




GENERAL BELL RECEIVES THE SALUTE 
Admiral Mnreau derorating offirers of the Thirty-third Division, ai Brest. 



In certain respects the career of the Thirty-third Division was unique. 
It was the only division in the American Expeditionary Forces in France — 
and, therefore, in American history — which fought with, and under, the British, 
the Americans and the French. It was the only American division the oflicers 
and nien of which were decorated by a king of England in person. 

While in Europe, the Thirty-third Division served in five armies and 
twelve army corps, in some of them more than once. The division was 
attached to the Fourth British Army, the First American Army, the Second 
French Army, the Second American Army and the Third American Army. 
It served during this time with the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, 
Seventh and Ninth American Corps, the Third and Nineteenth British Corps, 
the Australian Corps, the Seventeenth French Army Corps, and the Second 
Colonial Army Corps ( French V 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



163 



The Thirty-third was the sixteenth American division to reach France. 
In the number of kilometers gained during advance against the enemy, it has 
been officially rated as the ninth among the American divisions; in the number 
of prisoners captured, it stood fourth; in the number of its own troops killed 
in action, it was ranked twentieth, and in the number of its wounded, twelfth 
— these last two categories affording proof of the skill with which the division 
was handled in battle. The German High Command evidently considered it 
exceptional as they rated it among the five "first-class" American divisions. 

From June 22 until November 11, 1918, a period of nearly five months, 
there elapsed only eighteen days when the Thirty-third Division, in whole or 




MARCHING TO THE DOCKS AT BREST 



in part, was not occupying a portion of the allied line. General Sir Henry 
Rawlinson, commanding the Fourth British Army, prophesied that it would 
"render brilliant service to the allied cause." In the Meuse-Argonne battle, 
to quote the words of Lieutenant-General Bullard in his letter of February 18, 
1019, to General Bell — every mission entrusted to the division was "executed 
with zeal, skill, smoothness and valor that deserved the highest commenda- 
tion." In all its desperate fighting never once did the Thirty-third Division 
appeal for help or reenforcements. It was the boast of the soldiers that 
every order given them in battle was executed and that every objective as- 
signed to them was taken on scheduled time. This claim is justified by the 
facts. 



i64 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




(S) International Film Service 
A RIOT OF JOY 
As the Mount Vernon steamed into New York harbor. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 



i6s 




THE ARRIVAL IN CHICAtlO 

Left to right: Lt. Col. Stanstield, Capt. Roa, General Bell, 
Col. Chiperfield, Lt. Col. Simpson, Maj. Barber. 



Ll. 



The attainment of 
perfection, especially in 
war, is beyond human 
power, but in the Thirty- 
third Division the ma- 
chinery functioned 
smoothly and was in- 
variably able to cope 
with every situation, 
however difficult. Few 
were the occasions when 
the troops in the trenches 
did not have hot meals; 
there was no shortage of 
rations even under the 
most critical conditions, 
and the supply of artil- 
lery and small arms am- 
munition was always 
equal to requirements. 

The officers of the staff never lost sight of the fact that their role was wholly 
and solely that of servants of the fighting men. 

While it was at Camp Logan, the death rate in the Thirty-third Division 
was the lowest in the American army. In Europe, its health rate ranked 
among the very highest in the A. E. F. During active operations, the manner 
in which it cared for the sick and wounded was noteworthy for its efficiency. 

The discipline and spirit of the division were of the highest order. From 
the date of its departure from Texas until the beginning of the armistice, no 
enlisted man was tried by a general court-martial and only -two officers were 
thus tried — an enviable record for any command of that size. 

In efficiency, gallantry, devotion to duty, steadfast resolution and cheer- 
fulness under all conditions, and in esprit de corps, the officers and men of the 
Thirty-third Division proved themselves worthy successors of the soldiers of 
Illinois who fought in former wars of the United States. The commander-in- 
chief, in his letter of April 23, 191 9, declared that "theirs was a splendid record 
while in France," and that "they should go home proud of themselves and 
of the part they have played, and conscious of the respect and admiration of 
their comrades throughout the American Expeditionary Forces." In bidding 
farewell to the division commander on May 5. 19 19, Andre Tardieu, the French 
commissioner-general, wrote: "We shall treasure in memory the exploits of 
your splendid soldiers. I here tender to them the expression of the gratitude 
of the Government of the French Republic, which unites in the same thought 
of thankfulness the living and the dead." 

In a pamphlet entitled "33rd Division, A. E. F." summarizing the opera- 
tions of the command from its arrival in France until the armistice —which 



1 66 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



was printed in Luxemburg and distributed, during April, 191 9, to all ranks 
— the division commander, in his short preface, declared that he was "proud to 
have the honor and the privilege of commanding such men." 

What the officers and men of the Thirty-third Division accomplished is 
mainly attributable to the effective weeding out of those who were not up to 
the requisite standard, to the thorough training, the severe discipline enforced, 
the vigilant supervision, the magnificent spirit instilled into them and the skill 
with which they were at all times handled by their admired and beloved com- 
mander. Major General George Bell, Jr. 




THE SECOND CONTINCENT HOME AOATN! MARCHING DOWN STATE STREET, 

CHICAGO 



THE THIRTY-THIRD L)l\ ISION 167 

ADVANCES MADE BY THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 

Tlie following arc llie advances made by the Thirty-tliird Divisicn in ils various attacks: 

Meters 
July 4, igi8, at Hamei, Companies C and E, 131st Inf. nlry, and Companies A and G, 132nd 

Infantry 2 loo 

August 9. 1918, at Grcssaire Wood and Chipilly Ridge, Somme Offensive, 131st Infantry.... 4000 
September 26, 1918, sector between the Bois do Forges and the Laitcrie de Belhame, 131st In- 
fantry; Companies B and C, 124th Machine Gun Battalion, and Company C, 108th 
Engineers 7000 

September 20, 1918, Bois de Forges, 132nd Infantry; Companies A and D, 124th Machine 

Gun Battalion, and Company F, loSth Engineers Sooc 

September 29 to October 14, 1918, Sixty-tifth Infantry Brigade, Bo!s de Dannevou.x and Bois 

de la Cote Lemont 20C0 

October 8, 191S, near Consenvoyc, 132nd Infantry (less Third Battalion) ; Second Battalion, 

131st Infantry, and Companies A and D, 124th Machine Gun Battalion 4000 

October 9, 191S, Bois de Chaume, 132nd Infantry (less Third Battalion) ; Second Battalion 
and Machine Gun Company, 131st Infantry, and Companies A and D, 124th Machine 
Gun Battalion • • 3000 

October 10, 191S, Bois de Chaume and Bois du Plat Chcne, 131st Infantry (less Second 
Battalion); Company B, 122nd Machine Gun Battalion, and Company B, 124th Machine 
Gun Battalion 2000 

October 10, 191S, Bois de Chaume, Third Battalion, 130th Infantry 2000 

October 10, 191S, Bois du Plat Chene, Third Battalion, 129th Infantry 2000 

October lo. 19 iS, Bois de Chaume and Bois du Plat Chene, First Battalion, 120th Infantry, 

and Company A, 122nd Machine Gun Battalion 3200 

October 15, 1918, Bois du Plat Chene, Second Battalion. 120th Infantry 1000 

November 10, 1Q18, Marcheville, Second Battalion, 130th Infantry, and Company D, 123rd 

Machine Gun Battalion 3000 

November 10, 1918, Bois d'Harville, and St. Hilaire, 131st Infantry, and Companies A and 

B, 1 24th Machine Gun Battalion 4000 

November 11, 1Q18, Chateau D'AuInois, Riaville and Marcheville, 129th Infantry, 130th In- 
fantry, 123rd Machine Gun Battalion, and Company F, 108th Engineers 3000 

PRISOxNERS TAKEN BY THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 

Officers OlherRniks 

July S, 1918 *Soo 

August 9, 1018 • • 700 

September 26, 1918 • • 36 1.400 

September 27, iqi8 104 

October 2, 1018 4 

October 8, 1018 2 145 

October 9, 1918 18 615 

October 10, 1018 4 140 

October 11, 1918 4,^ 

October 12, 1018 2 

October 13, 1918 • • 48 

October 20, 1018 S 

October 27-Novembcr 0. 1018 (both inclusive) i 57 

November 10, 1918 7 146 

November 11, 1918 6 

Total 68 3,924 

* Estimated. 



i68 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



MATERIEL CAPTURED BY THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 

Heavy Light Trench Machine 
Artillery Artillery Mortars Guns Rifles 

Gressaire Wood, 131SI Infantry, August g. tqiS.. 2 2S 2 100 59 

Near Bois de Forges, 131st Infantry, September 

2b, iQiS 3 13 •• 5^ 59 

Bois de Forges, 132nd Infantry, September 26, 

1018 4 12 10 109 

Sector of Bois de Dannevoux and Bois de la Cote 

Lemont, 6sth Infantry Brigade, September 29 

to October 15, 1918 i 7 2 37 80 

Brabant — Consenvoye — Bois de Chaume, 132nd 

Infanlry, October 8 to 14, 1918 2 11 3 113 

Bois de Chaume and Bois du Plat Chene, 131st 

Infantry, October 10 to 14, 1918 16 i 24 207 

Bois de Chaume, 130th Infantry, October K) to 

20. 1018 .. .. 2 

Bois du Plat Chene, i2Qth Infantry, October 10 

to 20, 1918 .. 2 3 2.T 

Chateau d'Aulnois, 130th Infantry, November 7, 

1918 .. .. 6 

Bois de Warville, 131st Infantry, November 8, 

1918 .. .. X 

Marcheville, 130th Infantry, November 10, 1918.. i .. .. 12 

Bois d'Harville, 131st Infantry, November 10, 

igi8 •• ■• I 

Totals 13 87 20 460 430 

LETTERS OF COMMENDATION FROM THE BRITISH 

Fourth Army No. G. S. 2/13. 
Thirty-third Illinois Division. 

Or the departure of the Thirty-third Division from the Fourth Army I desire officially to 
record my admiration of the energy, keenness and soldierly qualities exhibited by all ranks during 
their period of training under my orders. The marked advance which has been made and the 
satisfactory standard of fighting efficiency that has been reached reflect high credit on all con- 
cerned, and guarantee that the division will render brilliant services to the allied cause wherever it 
may be employed as a fighting division in face of the enemy. 

My regret is that it will not have further opportunity for offensive action whilst in the 
Fourth British Army, but portions of the division have already acquitted themselves most gal- 
lantly, and I desire to tender my warm thanks to those units engaged for their brilliant successes 
in the Hamel offensive and at Gressaire Wood. 

I greatly regret the departure oi the division and offer to General Bell and all ranks under his 
command the best of good fortune in the strenuous times which lie before them. 

H. R.\WLINSON. 
H. Q. Fourth .'Vrmy, 
21st August, 191S. 



Ill Corps G. O. 156S, 

20th August, 1918. 
Major General George Bell, Jr., 
Commanding 33rd American Division. 

On the departure of your division from this corps, I write to ask you to convey to all ranks 
under your command our thanks and appreciation of the excellent work that the division has done 
during its period of attachment to the III Corps. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 169 

The 131st Regiment, of the Sixty-sixth Brigade, carried out the attack on the gth August 
in a manner which reflected great credit not only on its gallantry, but on its previous training; 
and the work done by the whole of your division during its periods of attachment and of holding 
the line has been of a high order. 

All ranks of the III British Corps wish the Thirty-third American Division the best of luck 
in the future, and in watching its future victorious career will always remember with great pleasure 
the time which they have spent together with their American comrades in arms. 

Alex Godley, 

Lieutenant-General, 

Commanding III Corps. 
Ill Corps H. Q., 
20, 8, 18. 



ORDERS AND LETTERS OF COMMENDATION FROM AMERICAN CORPS 
AND ARMY COMMANDERS 

Headquarters Second Army 

American E. F., France, 12 December, 1918. 
From: Commanding General, Second Army. 
To: Commanding General, 33rd Division, American E. F. 
Subject: Activity of the 33rd Division prior to the Armistice. 

1. Upon the transfer of the Thirty-third Division, from the Second to the Third American 
Army, I desire to express to you my gratification at the vigorous and successful activities of your 
division during the period of active operations preceding the armistice. 

2. The Thirty-third Division, although occupying a broad front, was called upon to advance 
towards Conflans, and was engaged in the performance of this mission at the time that hostilities 
cer.sed. 

3. On November 6 to 7, when accurate information of the enemy's intention was greatly 
desired, raiding parties from your division penetrated to Chateau d'Aulnois and captured twenty- 
one prisoners, including one officer. On November 7 to 8, your, reconnaissance patrols entered 
Bois d'Harville and St. Hilaire and brought back eight prisoners. On November 9 to 10, you 
drove the enemy from the towns of St. Hilaire and Marcheville and, at the time of cessation of 
hostilities, your division had occupied these towns, as well as the towns of Butgneville and Riaville. 

4. The conduct of the Thirty-third Division exemplified its ability to execute promptly and 
thoroughly the tasks which were given to it. There was shown on the part of both officers and 
men, an efficiency and fighting spirit which are highly commendable, 

(Signed) R. L. Bullard, 

Lieutenant General, U. S. A. 



Headquarters Second Army 
American Expeditionary Forces 
Office of Commanding General 



1 8th February, 1919. 



From: Lieutenant General R. L. Bullard. 
To: Major General George Bell, Jr., Commanding 33rd Division (Through Commanding General, 
VI Corps). 
Subject: Commendation of the Commanding General 33rd Division, and of his Division. 

I. I desire to make af record the fact that as commanding general of the III Corps in the 
battle of the Meuse-Argonne I repeatedly took occasion between September 26, and October 7, to 
commend in high terms your own command of the Thirty-third Division and the valiant and 
efficient conduct of that division in the great battle in which you were taking part at that time. 
Every duty, every mission assigned to you and to your division, was executed with zeal, skill, 
smoothness and valor that deserved the highest commendation. I so stated to you at that time, 
as you will remember, but you and your division on October 7 were unexpectedly to me detached 



170 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

from the III Corps. I then expected and hoped that in a few days you would be returned to my 
command and that I would have opportunity then to commend the conduct of your division in 
this battle; but I myself was separated from this command unexpectedly a few days later and 
this opportunity thus never came. I take it now. 

I would appreciate it, if you will communicate this to your division. 
RLB:s R- L. Bullard. 

Lieut. General, U. S A. 
Commanding 2nd Army. 
201. I — Commendations. ist Ind. 

Hdqrs. VI Army Corps, APO 783, American E. F., 20 February, iqio. 
To the Commanding General, 33rd Division, American E. F. 

I. It gives me great pleasure to forward this acknowledgment of the service rendered by 
your division, knowing that the commendation has been justly earned. 

The esprit which enabled the accomplishment of such marked success in active service, still 
maintains the division, in time of peace, at a standard of efficiency excelled by none. 

A. Cronkhite, 

Major General, U. S. A. 
Commanding. 



Gener.^l He.adquarters G-5 

American E.xpedition.ary Forces HRR 

France, February lyth, iqiq. 
From: The Adjutant General, American E. F. 
To: The Commanding General, 2nd Army. 
Subject- Condition of animals and transport of Thirty-third Division. 

1. In connection with a general inspection and supervision of the instruction of the divisions 
of the A. E. F. in matters pertaining to the care of animals and the upkeep of leather equipment 
and the transport, the staff officer at these headquarters charged with this duty, reports as follows: 

"The Thirty-third Division was inspected December fifth. There was a well-organized system 
of supervision of the care of animals, a sympathetic attention to their every need in such matters 
as grooming, feeding, watering, shelter, shoeing and standings, which began with the division 
commander and extended through all the grades down to the riders and drivers. The division 
commander was familiar with every detail of this important phase of instruction and administra- 
tion in his command, very especially with the efforts of all concerned to ameliorate conditions and 
the difficulties encountered by them. Great credit is due him personally for the splendid state of 
aft'airs in his division on that date (December 5th, 1018) — which stood as a perfect model of the 
standards that ought to exist in these matters throughout the army." 

2. The regiment inspected was the 130th Infantry, Colonel John V. Clinnin commanding. 

By Command of General Pershing 

J. M. WOOLFOLK, 

Adjutant General. 



FROM THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE A. E F. 

The following letter was written by General Pershing on the day following his inspection of 
the Thirty-third Division: 

Americ.xn Expedition.arv Forces 
Office of the Commander-in-Chief 

Major General George Bell, 

Commanding 33rd Division, 
American E. F. 
My dear General Bell: 

It afforded me great satisfaction to inspect the Thirty-third Division at Ettelbruck on April 22, 
and to extend at that time, to the officers and men of your command my congratulations on their 
fine appearance and appreciation of their splendid record while in France. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 171 

The division has had an interesting and varied battle experience. One of those to be schooled 
with the British Expeditionary Forces, it arrived in France towards the end of May, 1918, where 
it trained with the Fourth Army. Although, as a division, it did not enter the line here, yet the 
majority of the organizations had hard fighting experience before they left the British sector. On 
July 4, parts of the 131st and 132nd Regiments of Infantry, brigaded with Australian troops, 
successfully attacked Hamel and the Hamel and Vaire Woods. On August 9 the 131st Infantry, 
under the Fifty-eighth British Division, successfully attacked Chipilly Ridge and the Gressaire 
Wood, an operation made especially difficult by the character of the terrain. Towards the end of 
August the division joined the First American Army in the Toul sector, remaining in reserve until 
September 5. On September 10, it relieved a French division in the Blercourt area, southwest of 
Verdun. It took part in the opening of the great Meuse-Argonne offensive, capturing the Bois do 
Forges, and occupying the sector facing the Meuse River. Beginning with October 8, it participated 
in the operations east of the Meuse, pressing vigorous attacks on the nth, 12th and 13th in the 
vicinity of Conscnvoye and the Bois de Chaumc and the Bois du Plat Chcne. It remained astride 
of the Meuse until it was relieved on October 21, during which entire period it was constantly 
subjected to heavy artillery and machine gun fire from the heights of the west bank, and was 
continually in action. On October 26, it reentered the line in the Troyon sector where it took 
part in the attack of the Second Army, driving the enemy from the towns of St. Hilaire and 
Marcheville and occupying the towns of Butgneville and Riaville. The division was advancing 
when hostilities ended with the armistice. 

It is gratifying to see your troops in such good physical shape and still more so to know that 
the moral tone of all ranks is so high. I believe that they will return with this high standard to 
perform in the same way whatever tasks may lie before them in civil life. They should go home 
proud of themselves and of the part they have played, and conscious of the respect and admira- 
tion of their comrades throughout the American Expeditionary Forces. 

Sincerely yours, 
(Signed) John J. Pershing. 

THE THANKS OF FRANCE 

(Translation) 

French Republic. 
Paris, the sth May. 1919. 
The President of the Council 

Minister of War. 
To the General Commanding the Thirty-third Division. 
My dear General : 

At the hour when the Thirty-third Division is embarking for the United States, I am think- 
ing with gratitude of the battles in which it has been engaged and disp'ayed so much valor. 

After having done its initial fighting with our British allies, it was near Verdun that the 
Thirty-third Division first came under fire with its French comrades. The capture of the Bois 
de Forges, on the 26th of September, revealed its dash. Several days later, at the Bois de Chaumc, 
on the Sth of October, the Thirty-third Division asserted its tenacity in repulsing by stubborn 
counterattacks the enemy who was endeavoring in vain to retake the ground lost. 

Of this spirit of enterprise your division again gave an example during the last days before 
the armistice when it was at the heels of the adversary in retreat. 

We shall treasure in memory the exploits of your splendid soldiers. I here tender to them the 
expression of the gratitude of the Government of the Republic, which unites in the same thought 
of thankfulness the living and the dead. 

Believe, my dear General, in the assurance of my very devoted sentiments. 

For the President of the Council and by his order. 
The Commissioner-General of the France-American War Affairs. 

Andre Tardieu. 
Presidency of the Council. 
(SEAL) 



172 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



LEADERS OF THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 

SOMETHING ABOUT THE MEN WHO COMMANDED THE ILLINOIS SOLDIERS IN 

THE FIGHTING OVERSEAS 

Major General George Bell, Jr., had nearly forty years of service in the 
United States Army behind him when he was called to command the Thirty- 
third Division. He was born at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland, 
January 23, 1859. At the age of seventeen he was appointed to West Point 
by President Grant. For eight years, following his graduation from the mili- 
tary academy, he served with the Third Infantry in Northern Montana, being 
promoted to first lieutenant in 1886. From 1892 to 1896 he was professor of 
military science and tactics at Cornell University. While there — in 1894 — 
he received the degree of LL. B. from Cornell and in the same year he was 
admitted to the New York bar. 

At the beginning of the Spanish-American War, General Bell, then a 
captain, was again assigned to the Third Infantry, and served with that regi- 
ment through the Santiago campaign, being recommended for the brevet of 
major for service at Santiago. In 1900, having been assigned to the First 
Regiment, he went to the Philippines, where he served in the Samar campaign 
from 1900 to 1903. With his command he captured Vincento Lucban, insurgent 
commander in Samar and Leyte, putting an end to the insurrection in those 
islands. After several years in the United States, during which time he 
became a major. General Bell returned to the Philippines to command the 
second district in Leyte and, by the capture of Fostinio Ablin, the Pulajane 
leader of the insurrection in the island, he brought that rebellion to an end. 
After important service in the inspector general's department. General Bell 
was named to head a military mission to witness maneuvers and study military 
methods in Switzerland and France. He was promoted to colonel of infantry 
March 9, 1913, and took command of the Sixteenth Infantry, serving with that 
regiment at the Presidio,. San Francisco, until the spring of 1914, when the 
regiment was sent to El Paso, Texas. On July 17 he was made a brigadier 
general. He was in command of the El Paso District at the time the American 
punitive expedition was in Mexico, retaining that command until August 22, 
191 7, when he was ordered to assume command of the Thirty-third Division 
at Camp Logan. In the meantime, on August 5, he had been made a major 
general in the National Army. 

General Bell trained the Illinois division, led it through its combat service 
overseas, and remained in command until the division was demobilized at Camp 
Grant. He was absent from the division only for two months in 191 7, when 
he was on an inspection tour in France, and for two weeks, after the armistice, 
when he was temporarily assigned to command the Sixth American Corps. 

In recognition of his distinguished services as commander of the Thirty- 
third Division, General Bell was awarded the American Distinguished Service 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 173 

Medal, was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. 
George by the British and received from France the decorations of the Legion 
of Honor and the Croix de Guerre with Palm. 

With the demobilization of the Thirty-third Division, General Bell took 
command of Camp Grant, May 29, 19 19, and on September 29 of that year 
he assumed command of the Sixth Division, stationed at Camp Grant. 

Paul Alexander Wolf, commander of the Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade, is 
a native of the state whose soldiers he led in France. He was born in Kewanee, 
Illinois, December 23, 1868, and was appointed to West Point from Princeton, 
Illinois, in 1886. Following his graduation. General Wolf, then a second 
lieutenant, served with the Third Infantry in the winter of 1890-91, in the last 
important Indian campaign, that against the Sioux in South Dakota. He 
served in Cuba in the Spanish-American War and in the Philippines from 
1899 to 1902, being on the staff of General Frederick Funston during a part 
of the time. He served in the Philippines again from 1903 to 1905, taking 
active part in the third Moro campaign on the staff of Major General Leonard 
Wood. In 1 913 and 1914 he was on the Mexican border and in April of the 
latter year he went to Vera Cruz, Mexico, where he served as chief of public 
works during the seven months of American occupation. 

General Wolf was made a lieutenant colonel in 191 6 and a colonel in the 
National Army in August, 191 7. He commanded the two officers' training 
camps at Plattsburg, New York, from May i to December 22, 191 7, and 
commissioned 8,000 officers from these camps. He was promoted to the rank 
of brigadier general in February, 191 8, and assigned to command the Sixty- 
sixth Infantry Brigade of the Thirty-third Division. General Wolf led this 
brigade through the fighting in France and until its return to the United States 
in May, 191 9. He remiained in France to serve as captain of the A. E. F. 
rifle team, which won first place in the inter-allied competition at Le Mans 
in July, 1919. 

General Wolf's services were recognized by the United States government 
by the award of the Distinguished Service Medal. He received also the decora- 
tions of Officer of the Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre with Palm 
from the French and Companion of the Bath from the British. 

Edward L. King, who led the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade through its 
combat service, is an officer of the regular army. He was born at Bridge- 
water, Massachusetts, December 5, 1873, and was appointed to West Point 
in 1892. While in the military academy he was a leader in athletics, playing 
for four years on both the football and baseball teams and serving as captain 
of the football team for two years. Upon his graduation he was commis- 
sioned in the cavalry. He served in Cuba in the Spanish-American War and 
later in the Philippines, where for a time he was aide-de-camp to Major- 
General H. W. Lawton. After the death of the latter he commanded a troop 
of the Eleventh Cavalry. In 191 9, nearly twenty years later, he was awarded 



174 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry in saving the life of a fellow 
officer in the Philippines. 

Varied service in the United States, the Philippines and Panama followed 
until June, 191 7, following the beginning of the war with Germany, when 
General King, then a lieutenant colonel of the National Army, was assigned 
10 the Twenty-eighth Division (Pennsylvania National Guard) as chief of 
staff. After a tour of inspection in France, he returned to the United States 
and sailed with the Twenty-eighth in May, 1918, with the rank of colonel. 
He participated with the division in the Marne defensive and the Marne-Vesle 
counter-offensive. 

He was made a brigadier general June 26, 191 8, and a month later was 
assigned to command the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade, Thirty-third Division. 
With his brigade he served in all the operations in which the division was 
engaged. 

In the spring of 191 9 General King served as president of a cavalry board, 
appointed to determine the cavalry lessons to be learned from the war. 

General King was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the 
American government and was given the decorations of Officer of the Legion 
of Honor and the Croix de Guerre with Palm by the French. Just before the 
armistice further recognition came from General Pershing in a recommenda- 
tion for his promotion to the rank of major general. 

Although his father was an officer of the United States Navy, holding 
the rank of rear admiral on the retired list at the time of his death, Henry 
Davis Todd, Jr., chose an army career. Immediately after graduating with 
high honors from the University of Pennsylvania in 1886, he entered West 
Point. Graduating from the military academy in 1890, he was a first lieutenant 
at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. During that conflict he served 
as ordnance officer of the siege train at Tampa, Florida. 

Following the war with Spain, General Todd alternately served with 
troops and attended various army schools. Promotion came steadily through 
the ranks of captain, major, lieutenant colonel and colonel until August, 191 7, 
when he was commissioned a brigadier general in the National Army and 
assigned to organize and command the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade 
of the Thirty-third Division. In the absence of Major General George Bell, 
Jr., on a tour of inspection in France from the latter part of September until 
the early part of December, 191 7, General Todd commanded Camp Logan 
and directed the organization and training of the Thirty-third Division. 

General Todd commanded not only his own brigade but other artillery 
units during the most important operations of the American army. In the 
St. Mihiel offensive he was chief of artillery for the First Division, command- 
ing several regiments of artillery in addition to the Fifty-eighth Brigade. 
At the beginning of the Meuse-Argonne drive, he was chief of artillery of the 
Ninety-first Division in its attack through Avocourt to Gesnes. On Novem- 
ber I he became chief of artillery of the Eighty-ninth Division. He was 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 175 

wounded but returned to the front after a few days' hospital treatment and 
remained with the division in its advance to and across the Meuse. Early in 
January, 191 9, when his brigade rejoined the Thirty-third Division, General 
Todd became chief of artillery of the division. He again served as division 
commander while General Bell was acting as corps commander. 

The roll of the regiment which Colonel Joseph B. Sanborn commanded 
during the World War has carried his name since March 8, 1880, when he 
enlisted as a private. The regiment then was the First Illinois Infantry and 
Private Sanborn was a youngster of 24, having been born at Chester, New 
Hampshire, December 8, 1855. 

Private Sanborn won his first commission, that of a second lieutenant, 
in 1882, was advanced to first lieutenant in 1884, to captain in 1886, and 
to major in i8qi. He commanded the first battalion of the First Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry in the Santiago campaign of the Spanish-American War, 
and on December 19, 1898, he was made a colonel and placed in command 
of the First Illinois Infantry. 

In 19 1 6 Colonel Sanborn led the regiment to the Mexican border and 
a year later he and his men answered the call to service in the war with 
Germany, the First Illinois Infantry becoming the 131st Regiment, U. S. 
Infantry. 

Colonel Sanborn's distinguished services in the World War won him 
high honors from the American, British, French and Belgian governments. 
For gallantry displayed in personally leading his regiment at Gressaire Wood 
and Chipilly Ridge he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the 
American government and the Distinguished Service Order by the British. 
He also received the Distinguished Service Medal from the American govern- 
ment and the decorations of Officer of the Legion of Honor and the Croix de 
Guerre with Palm from the French and Officer of the Order of Leopold from 
the Belgian government. 

Colonel Abel Davis, commander of the 132nd Infantry in the World 
War, is the type of citizen soldier that has kept the Illinois National Guard 
up to a high standard of efficiency for many years. Although prominent in 
public affairs and in the business world, he displayed at all times the greatest 
interest in the state's military organization. 

Colonel Davis was born in Konigsberg, Germany, in 1877, but was 
brought to this country by his parents when he was very young and was 
given an American education. When a youth he enlisted as a private in the 
First Infantry, Illinois National Guard, and he served with that regiment 
as a corporal in the Spanish-American War. In civilian life, during the years 
that followed, he served as a state senator and as county recorder, becoming 
later vice president of the Chicago Title & Trust Company. 

Colonel Davis continued his active connection with the First Illinois 
Infantry, having become a major when the regiment went to the Mexican 



176 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

border in 191 6. Soon after the Thirty-third Division was organized at 
Camp Logan, he was advanced to a colonelcy and assigned to command the 
132nd Infantry, formerly the Second Illinois Infantry. Colonel Davis 
remained in command of the regiment until it was demobilized. He was 
awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry displayed in leading 
his regiment at Consenvoye. 

Colonel Edgar A. Myer, who commanded the 129th Infantry during its 
active service in France, is an officer of the regular army. He is a native of 
Texas, where he was born February 2, 1875. He was appointed to West 
Point from New York, and upon his graduation from the military academy 
in 1899 he was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry. He advanced 
through the various grades and on June 4, 191 7, was commissioned a major. 
On August 5, 191 7, he was made a lieutenant colonel of the National Army. 
He was promoted to the rank of colonel July 30, 191 8, and assumed com- 
mand of the 129th Infantry August 18. Colonel Myer remained at the head 
of the regiment until it was demobilized. He was awarded the Distinguished 
Service Medal. 

Colonel John V^ Clinnin, commander of the 130th Infantry, as in the 
case of many of the other officers of the Thirty-third Division, had seen 
years of service in the Illinois National Guard. Colonel Clinnin was born at 
Huntley, Illinois, April 5, 1876. His military service began when he was 
eighteen years old. He enlisted as a private in the First Infantry, Illinois 
National Guard, on October 15, 1894. He served with that regiment in the 
Spanish-American War, having won a sergeantcy at the beginning of that 
conflict. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1899 and had advanced 
to a majority by 1910. He commanded a battalion of the First Illinois 
Infantry on the Mexican border in 191 6 and for several months after the 
regiment was called to the colors in March, 191 7. On December 26, 191 7, 
at Camp Logan, he was made a lieutenant colonel and placed in command 
of the io8th Ammunition Train. In May, 191 8, he was made a colonel and 
assigned to command of the io8th Train Headquarters and INIilitary Police. 
A month later, after the division had reached France, he was transferred to 
the 130th Infantry. He commanded that regiment throughout its overseas 
service and until its demobilization. 

Colonel Clinnin led his regiment so gallantly that he was cited in orders 
and was recommended for both the Distinguished Service Cross and the 
Distinguished Service Medal. 

Colonel Milton J. Foreman is a native of the state under whose colors 
he served in the World War. He was born in Chicago in 1862. In civilian 
life. Colonel Foreman is a lawyer. He has been active in public affairs, 
serving as a member of the City Council of Chicago and holding other posi- 
tions of responsibility. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 177 

Colonel Foreman has been identified with military affairs in Illinois 
since 1894, when he enlisted as a private in Troop C, Illinois Cavalry. By 
1898 he had won a commission, and during the Spanish-American War he 
served as captain and quartermaster of the First Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. 
In 1906 he became colonel of the First Cavalry, Illinois National Guard. 

Colonel Foreman led the regiment when it served on the Mexican border 
in 191 6, and a year later when the United States entered the World War he 
transformed the regiment into an artillery organization in order that it might 
see active service overseas. He remained in command when the regiment 
became part of the Thirty-third Division as the 122nd U. S. Field Artillery. 
He led the gunners throughout their service in the World War. In recogni- 
tion of his services he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the 
United States government. 

Colonel Charles George Davis, commander of the 123rd Field Artillery 
in the World War, is a native of Illinois, and, in civil life, a lawyer. He was 
born at Geneseo February 11, 1879. He enhsted in the Sixth Illinois Infantry 
as a private at the age of eighteen, and he served with that regiment, which 
later became the 123rd Field Artillery, through two wars and the Mexican 
border trouble. 

Colonel Davis was a corporal with the Sixth Infantry when that regi- 
ment served in Cuba and Porto Rico in the Spanish-American War. He 
advanced steadily through the various grades until he was commissioned 
colonel of infantry and assigned to command the Sixth Infantry on March 6, 
1916. He led the regiment during its service on the border in 1916, and a 
year later, when the infantry organization was transformed into the 123rd 
Field Artillery, he remained in command. 

In the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives. Colonel Davis led his 
men with such distinction that he received three citations for gallantry in 
action. He served at the head of the regiment until it was demobilized. 

Colonel Horatio B. Hackett, commander of the 124th Field Artillery, 
was born in Philadelphia in 1880. His father, Horatio B. Hackett, was a 
captain in the Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Civil War. Colonel 
Hackett was appointed to West Point in 1900, and upon his graduation in 
1904 he was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry and assigned to 
the Twenty-seventh United States Infantry at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He 
resigned from the army in 1906 to engage in the construction business. 

When the United States entered the World War he offered his services 
to the state and was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Third Illinois 
Field Artillery, which later became the 124th Field Artillery. In January, 
191 8, he was made a colonel and assigned to command the 124th Field 
Artillery. Colonel Hackett served until September 28, 191 8, when he was 
severely wounded. He was not able to rejoin his regiment until it returned 
to the United States in May, 1919. 



178 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

Colonel Henry A. Allen was born in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1868. He 
is a son of General Thomas Scott Allen, who rendered distinguished service 
with the Wisconsin volunteers in the Civil War. Colonel Allen is a graduate 
of the United States Naval Academy, where he gained renown as an athlete, 
participating in fencing, boxing, tennis, rowing, football, baseball and other 
sports. After two years' service in the navy, he went into civil life, and 
quickly gained recognition as a leader in the engineering world. In 1907 he 
was appointed by President Roosevelt one of a commission of seven engineers 
to visit Panama and make a final decision as to the type of canal to be built. 
Since 191 1 he has been consulting engineer of the city of Chicago. Colonel 
Allen was commissioned an ensign in the Illinois Naval Reserve September 
28, 1893, and advanced through various grades until he became a captain, 
July 8, 1901. He was mustered out in 1903. On April 20, 1909, he was 
appointed lieutenant colonel, chief engineer, of the Illinois National Guard, 
and in 191 1 he organized Company A, the first engineer unit authorized for 
the state of Illinois. On June 22, 191 7, he was commissioned a colonel and 
placed in command of the First Regiment, Illinois Engineers, which he helped 
to organize. Colonel Allen led this regiment, which became the io8th Engi- 
neers, throughout its service in the World War. He was awarded the Dis- 
tinguished Service Medal by the American government and the Croix de 
Guerre with Palm by the French. 

The military record of Dr. Harry D. Orr, who commanded the io8th 
Sanitary Train in the World War and later was appointed division surgeon 
of the Thirty-third Division, goes back to 1902. In that year Dr. Orr 
enlisted in the hospital corps of the First Illinois Cavalry as a private. 
Dr. Orr then was twenty-five years old, having been born in Wayne County, 
Ohio, August 25, 1877. He attended the Kansas State Agricultural College, 
and in 1904, two years after he enlisted in the Illinois National Guard, he 
graduated from Northwestern University Medical School. 

Dr. Orr was commissioned first lieutenant of the medical corps, First 
lUinois Cavalry, in 1907, and was advanced rapidly, having become regi- 
mental surgeon of the First Cavalry with the rank of major when the regiment 
served on the Mexican border in 19 16. When the Thirty-third Division was 
organized. Dr. Orr was made director of ambulance companies, but shortly 
before the division went overseas he was promoted to a lieutenant colonelcy 
and put in command of the io8th Sanitary Train. He served in that capacity 
during the active operations of the division. Early in 1919, however, he was 
made division surgeon, and in April of that year he was promoted to the rank 
of colonel. 

Colonel Charles D. Center, commander of the io8th Train Headquar- 
ters and Military Police, was born at Ottawa, Illinois, July 8, 1869. He 
graduated from the Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1894, and after several 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION 179 

years of hospital service in Chicago engaged in the practice of medicine at 
Quincy, Ilhnois. 

Colonel Center entered the Illinois National Guard as a first lieutenant 
of the medical corps in 1905. After important service as a medical officer 
he was made a lieutenant colonel of field and staff in 191 2 and was transferred 
from the medical corps to the Fifth Illinois Infantry. He was holding this 
rank in 191 7 when the regiment went to Camp Logan for training as a unit 
of the Thirty-third Division. In November of that year he was placed in 
command of the io8th Ammunition Train and a month later was ordered to 
assume command of the io8th Train Headquarters and Military Police as 
well. He was sent to France ahead of the division and for six months was 
on duty at the General Staff College, with the First American Division at the 
front, and with the front line transport of the Third American Corps. While 
he was in France Colonel Center was assigned to command the 130th Infantry, 
but when he rejoined the division on its arrival in France he was transferred 
and assigned to command the io8th Train Headquarters and Military Police, 
a position which he held until the demobilization of the division. 

Lieutenant Colonel Walter J. Fisher, a native of Chicago, enlisted as a 
private in the First Illinois Cavalry in 1898 to fight in the Spanish-American 
War. He remained with the unit after the war, rising rapidly in rank. He 
was a major, commanding the third squadron of the First Cavalry, when the 
regiment was sent to the Mexican border in 191 6 and when the United States 
declared war on Germany. 

While his regiment, transformed into the 12 2d Field Artillery, was at 
Camp Logan, Major Fisher was made lieutenant colonel. Later he was trans- 
ferred to the 1 08th Ammunition Train, the unit he led to France and com- 
manded until the demobilization of the Thirty-third Division. He was cited 
in orders by General Pershing and General Bell. 

Lieutenant Colonel John P. Lucas joined the Thirty-third Division in 
August, 191 7, as aide-de-camp to Major-General George Bell, Jr., with the 
rank of captain. He had then a record of regular army service dating back 
to 191 1. On January 15, 191 8, he was made a major and assigned to 
command the io8th Field Signal Battalion. He sailed overseas with his unit 
and led it until June 23, when he was wounded in action near Amiens. When 
the war ended he had not recovered sufficiently to resume active service with 
the unit. He was promoted to a lieutenant colonelcy October 31. 191 8. 

Major Frederick S. Haines, at the beginning of the war with Germany, 
was a member of the Officers' Reserve Corps, having had military experience 
with an artillery unit in the Philippines immediately after the Spanish-Ameri- 
can war. Early in 191 7 he applied for active service and was sent to Camp 
Logan where he served as first camp quartermaster, handling all construe- 



i8o ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

tion contracts. When the Thirty-third Division was organized he was pro- 
moted to major and placed in command of the io8th Supply Train, serving 
in that capacity until he was transferred to the Third Army headquarters 
just before the armistice. 

]\Iajor Mariano B. Southwick, commander of the 122nd Machine Gun 
Battalion, was born in Springfield, Illinois, March 11, 1887. He was gradu- 
ated from Culver Military Academy, and was appointed a captain in the 
Fifth Illinois Infantry in 191 6, when war with Mexico seemed likely. 

When the Fifth was mustered into service for the war with Germany, 
Captain Southwick was in command of Company C and sailed for France as 
a company commander in the 122nd Machine Gun Battalion. In July, 191 8, 
he was made a major and put in command of his unit. He led the battalion 
through all of its battles. After the armistice he was assigned as assistant 
chief of staff, G-3, Thirty-third Division. Major Southwick was cited for 
gallantry in action by General Bell. 

Major Albert L. Culbertson was born in Delavan, Illinois, June i, 1884. 
He entered the Illinois National Guard in 1904 and that same year was com- 
missioned a second lieutenant in the Fifth Infantry. By the end of 191 3 he 
had been advanced to the rank of captain. 

The Fifth Infantry was broken up, and Captain Culbertson on January 
3, 1918, was placed in command of one detachment, the 123rd Machine Gun 
Battalion, being advanced to the rank of major. He led the machine gunners 
overseas and through all their strenuous campaigning in France. Major 
Culbertson received citations from General Pershing and General Bell. 

Major Floyd F. Putman is a native of Illinois and, in civil life, a lawyer 
practicing at Canton. He became commander of the 124th Machine Gun 
Battalion October 13, 191 7, after he had served ten years in the Illinois 
National Guard. His career as an officer began with a captaincy in the Fifth 
Infantry in January, 1908, and he was a major, commanding the first bat- 
talion of the Fifth, when the regiment was called into the federal service. 

He retained his rank and went overseas at the head of the 124th Machine 
Gun Battalion. With that unit he served through all the campaigns of the 
infantry and machine gun troops of the Thirty-third Division, winning cita- 
tions from Major General Bell and General Pershing. 

Captain Charles J. Kraft had eighteen years' experience in the marine 
corps and the national guard when he was placed in command of the newly 
organized io8th Trench Mortar Battery at Camp Logan. As a member 
of the marine corps he served in the Boxer campaign in China and the 
Philippine insurrection as well as in Cuba, Panama and Nicaragua. He was 
also on border duty with the Illinois National Guard in 191 6. Captain Kraft 
commanded the io8th Trench Mortar Battery throughout its service overseas. 




ON THE BANKS OF THE MEUSE AT DIEUE 



The Thirty-third Division Staff 

By Major Frank W. Barber, Division Inspector 

lERE is no exaggeration in the statement that Major 
General George Bell, Jr., commander of the Thirty- 
third Division, was reasonably fortunate in the per- 
sonnel of his staff. Himself a regular army officer 
of brilliant attainments and many years' experience, 
he instilled into the staff his own loyalty and desire 
to excel, which contributed in no small degree to the 
splendid achievements of the division as a whole. 
Rigid in his enforcement of discipline, he yet pos- 
sessed a soft heart for the men under his command. 
He recognized always that they were not mere auto- 
matons, but men of flesh and blood, of intelligence 
and forethought, of character and perception — that 
they were the flower of the manhood of Illinois. To 
the Thirty-third Division General Bell will always 
be a beloved commander and an ideal soldier. 
Because we have served under him, we know him as he is. 

The staff of a division is like the fuel you place in the furnace of an engine. 
It produces the power which drives the machine — and a competent army is 
a machine of perfect adjustment. If the staff is efficient, energetic, and works 
in harmony, the best results may be expected from the firing line, for every 
order, every movement, every act has its inception in, and receives its impetus 
from, the headquarters of the division. If the staff is not efficient, then the 

i8i 




i82 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

intricate duties required of it are indifferently performed, the combatant troops 
are hampered, and disaster is frequently the result. 

The smoothness and efficiency with which the organizations of the Thirty- 
third Division functioned are a living evidence of the loyalty and harmony 
which existed at the headquarters of the division, and made possible the weld- 
ing together of an American command which was second to none — a division 
which always went where it was told to go, and accomplished what it was 
given to do. 

The activities of the division staff at Camp Logan consisted mainly of 
equipping the troops and supervising their training for the stern duties ahead. 
Schools for the staff were held and a systematic course of study was pursued. 

Upon arrival in France it was found that the division was slated for duty 
with the British. This necessitated many changes in the plans of the staff in 
order to conform to the requirements of the British Army. The new order 
of things was rapidly assimilated, however, and the division settled down to 
the daily work of preparing for the expected attack upon the enemy. 

The order for the division's first participation in actual combat soon 
came, and from that time until long after the armistice there was no rest for 
any officer of the division staff. It was incessant work, work, work, day and 
night — for that matter, the same strenuous speed was kept up throughout the 
entire division. 

Having brought the division to a high state of efficiency during its months 
of training. General Bell persevered in his determination to maintain it upon 
the highest possible plane. During the period of active operations he and the 
chiefs of his staff departments were in constant touch with all elements of the 
division. Everything was closely scrutinized with a view to improving con- 
ditions and rendering the fighting units irresistible in their onslaughts against 
the enemy. 

It was fully realized that, in order to secure the best results, the morale 
and the physical condition of the men must be fostered and conserved in every 
possible way. They must be properly armed, clothed and fed, and their health 
must receive every attention. In all of these details the staff functioned 
smoothly, and its members were accorded the hearty cooperation of the 
officers and men of the various organizations comprising the division. To a 
certain degree the operations of the division were hampered by the great diffi- 
culties which were sometimes encountered in securing equipment and supplies, 
but the eagerness of the men to vanquish the enemy was never affected. The 
officers of the division staff, in their turn, were actuated by two great motives 
— loyalty to their country and to their commander, and a determination to 
support the fighting units in such manner as to inflict the most drastic punish- 
ment upon the enemy with the least possible sacrifice of our own officers and 
men. This earnestness was equally great in the organizations and separate 
units of the division. Not a murmur came from the commanding officers or 
their men when an order from the commanding general was transmitted to 
them. Prompt obedience was their only response. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION STAFF 



183 




The division com- 
mander is the supreme 
authority within the di- 
vision. His is the mas- 
ter mind which con- 
ceives and directs. For 
every act of a subordi- 
nate commander there is 
an order from the divi- 
sion commander which 
authorizes or directs 
such action. In an 
emergency, if he so 
elects, the division com- 
mander may dehver his 
orders personally, but 
such direct action is sel- 
dom taken where it af- 
fects all units of the 
command. The normal 
method is to send all or- 
ders from the division 
headquarters to subor- 
dinate commanders 
through the chief of staff. 

The function of the staff is to coordinate and execute the orders of the 
division's head. It consists of the chief of staff, the three assistant chiefs of 
staff, the heads of departments and their assistants, and such other officers as 
may be required. In time of operations the staff of a division commander is 
very elastic, and may be increased or decreased as the exigencies of the service 
may dictate. Such changes are made solely at the option of the commanding 
general. 

The chief of staff of the Thirty-third Division, Brigadier General William 
K. Naylor, was the chief confidant and advisor of General Bell. He assisted 
in the coordination of the command, and participated in all important con- 
ferences held by the commander. It was his duty to supply the division com- 
mander with accurate information as to the position, strength and movements 
of the various elements of the command; as to the state of supplies and facili- 
ties for renewing them, as to the losses suffered and the gains expected, and 
generally as to the strength and morale of the division. The functioning of 
the remainder of the staff was subject to his personal inspection and super- 
vision. He had always to bear in mind the plans and policies of the command- 
ing general, and aided him in many ways to create a combat division of a 
high order, and to direct the movements of the troops in actual contact 
with the enemy. 



VISITORS TO THE SECOND CORPS 
Major General Tasker H. Bliss and Major Robert Bacon 
arriving at Second Army Corps headquarters. At the time this 
photograph v/as taken, in July, 1018, the Thirty-third Division 
was a part of the Second Corps. 



1 84 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



After the signing of 
the armistice, General 
Naylor was transferred 
to the Ninth Army 
Corps as chief of staff, 
in recognition of his bril- 
hant work with the 
Thirty-third Division. 
He was succeeded by 
Lieutenant Colonel Wil- 
liam H. Simpson, who re- 
tained the position until 
the division was returned 
to the United States and 
was mustered out. 

The three assistant 
chiefs of staff were in 
direct charge of what 
might be called, briefly, 
the administra tion 
(G-i), intelligence 
( G-2 ) , and operations 
(G-3). 

The assistant chief 
of staff, G-i, was vir- 
tually the chief supply 
officer of the division. 
He supervised all han- 
dUng of supplies, controlled the technical troops in construction work, was 
responsible for all records, replacements, transportation, communications, 
sanitary service, police, prisoners of war and captured enemy materiel, pos- 
tal service, billets, evacuations, burials and the other multitudinous details of 
administration. Officers who served as assistant chief or staff, G-i, were 
Lieutenant Colonel William C. Gardenhire, Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Col- 
lins, and Lieutenant Colonel Oliver J. Troster. Colonel Gardenhire was later 
promoted to the staff of the Third Army, with headquarters at Coblenz, as a 
reward for his excellent work as division quartermaster and as G-i. 

The officers who served as assistant chief of staff, G-2, were Major 
Arthur M. Copp and Lieutenant Colonel Charles C. Allen. This department 
of the staff is charged with the collection of all military information, includ- 
ing maps and photographs, censorship, contra-espionage and the examination 
of prisoners. G-2 also prepares estimates of the enemy situation and his 
order of battle, and has general direction of all personnel, regimental or bat- 
talion, engaged in intelligence work. The coordination of material submitted 
by regimental and other subordinate units necessarily falls to the assistant 




BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM K. NAYLOR 

General Naylor was chief of staff of the Thirty-third Divi- 
sion during the training period and throughout active opera- 
tions overseas. After the armistice he became chief of staff 
of the Ninth Army Corps. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION STAFF 



185 




OFFICERS OF THE DIVISION STAFF 

Above: Lieutenant Colonel William H. Simpson, chief of staff; Lieutenant Colonel Oliver J. 
Troster, assistant chief of staff, G-i. 

Below: Lieutenant Colonel Frederic L. Huidekoper, division adjutant; Lieutenant Colonel 
Burnett M. Chiperfield, division judge advocate 



i86 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



chief of staff of this department. In short, practically all information of mili- 
tary value, whether of friendly or enemy origin, must be weighed and coordi- 
nated by this department. Colonel Allen, an officer of calm poise and highest 
integrity, was later selected for duty in another land, being sent to Cairo, 
Egypt, as military attache. 

With the information received from G-i and G-2, the assistant chief of 
staff, G-3, was charged with the preparation of the plans of combat and their 
execution. Field and operations orders, operations reports, maintenance of 
a message center and of liaison are the main duties of this department. It 
was also the assistant chief's duty to furnish G-i with information as to tac- 
tical requirements affecting quarters, supplies and equipment, to keep a war 
diary, and the order of battle of our own forces, and to issue orders for the 
tactical employment of technical troops. The organization and conduct of all 
division schools were also under his charge. In the order in which they 
served the officers who were assistant chief of staff, G-3, were Lieutenant 
Colonel W. H. Simpson, Major C. L. Sampson, jNIajor Roane Waring, Major 
M. B. Southwick, and Lieutenant Colonel E. W. Wildrick. 

The division adjutant was the custodian of all records and money, except 
the confidential records of G-2. He may be said, in general, to have con- 
ducted the routine business of the command, including the preparation and 
promulgation of routine orders and bulletins, the custody and distribution of 
orders and bulletins from outside sources, the preparation of correspondence 
for signature and the supervision of copying and mimeographing. The records 

of individual casuals, as well as 
the compilation of lists of casual- 
ties, with data as to the date 
of death, wound or sickness, were 
an important feature of his work. 
The records of assignment of all 
officers, soldiers and civilians were 
kept under his direction, and 
through G-I he handled questions 
of assignments and promotions. 
All muster rolls and returns from 
the units comprising the division 
were checked and supervised by 
him, as were also questions of re- 
placements of personnel. Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Frederic L. Huideko- 
per was adjutant during most of 
the division's existence, but the po- 
sition was also held for a short time 
bv Lieutenant Colonel Tames H. 
L1EUTKX..NT COLONEL WILLIAM H. s'tansfield, who had previously 

At one time division inspector. Served with the 132nd Infantry. 




THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION STAFF 



187 



The division judge advocate was in charge of the law section, and was 
the advisor of the division commander in the general administration of jus- 
tice. He supervised the preparation and investigation of charges in cases of 
court martial, gave legal opinions, prepared orders relating to courts-martial 
and tentatively reviewed all courts-martial requiring the action of the divi- 
sion commander. Lieutenant Colonel B. M. Chiperfield was the first judge 
advocate of the Thirty-third Division. His ability early won the notice of 
the judge advocate general of the A. E. F., and he was one of the long list 
of forceful officers whose services were lost to the division by promotion to 
other fields. The occupation of Germany after the signing of the armistice, 
bringing with it a host of new problems in military law, called for men of 
immaculate character and strong personality. Colonel Chiperfield was se- 
lected as judge advocate of the Third Army Corps, with headquarters at 
Neuwied, and was succeeded as judge advocate of the Thirty-third Division 
by Lieutenant Colonel Stansfield. Major Oscar L. Smith and Major Harry F. 
Hamlin held the position of assistant judge advocate. 

The division inspector handled all classes of inspection, except tactical, 
of the command. Organizations, camps or quarters, interior economy, arms. 
records, messing and morale all came in his province. He condemned un- 
serviceable property, verified money accounts, and exercised a general super- 
vision over the supplies of money and property and the conduct and discipline 
of the troops. He reported with impartiality to the division commander or 
chief of staff any irregularities discovered, and made special investigations 
when required by the division com- 
mander. One of the functions of 
the division inspector was the in- 
vestigation of acts of heroism for 
which recognition was recom- 
mended by commanding officers of 
units in the division. The officers 
who held this post were Major C. 
R. Abraham, Lieutenant Colonel 
William H. Cowles, Major Frank 
W. Barber, Lieutenant Colonel C. 
S. Freis, and Lieutenant Colonel 
Pierre V. Kieffer. 

Colonel Levi M. Hathaway, as 
division surgeon, demonstrated his 
splendid organizing ability, and 
created a medical department of 
high merit. When he was trans- 
ferred to the Ninth Army Corps to 
become corps surgeon, he was suc- 
ceeded by Colonel Harry D Orr, colonel levi m. hathaway 

who had formerly been commander First division surgeon of the Thirty -third. 




ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




LIEUTENANT COLONEL HERMAN H. 

TUTTLE 

Division sanitary officer. 



of the io8th Sanitary Train. The 
division surgeon was charged with 
the supervision of all medical mat- 
ters. Such problems as the sanita- 
tion of the camps and of occupied 
territory, the care of the sick and 
wounded, the distribution and as- 
signment of medical personnel, pro- 
vision for all medical, dental and 
veterinary supplies, disinfection of 
clothing, conditions of shelter and 
food, disposal of waste, all came 
under his general direction. The 
division sanitary officer, Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Herman H. Tuttle, of 
the division surgeon's office, had 
direct charge of the sanitation of 
camps within the jurisdiction of 
the division, including the person- 
nel of the organization. 

The division quartermaster's 
task was to procure and distribute 
all supplies except munitions. Transportation (except motor), clothing, sub- 
sistence, fuel, light, water, camp sites, remounts and public animals, 
laundries, baths, salvage, depots, 
storehouses, burials, graves regis- 
tration and debusing establish- 
ments were some of the matters 
over which he exercised jurisdic- 
tion. Through the disbursing offi- 
cer, he paid the personnel^ and 
made general disbursements for the 
division, except for claims on the 
transportation of troops or supplies. 
This work was in charge first of 
Lieutenant Colonel Gardenhire, 
and later of Major Barber and 
Lieutenant Colonel J. T. B. Jones 
in turn. Captain Harris F. Hall 
and Captain Virgil C. Nickerson 
were the graves registration officers. 
Of the members of the quarter- 
master's staff. Captain Charles 
Benson, Captain David W. Shand, lieutenant colonel j. t. b. jones 

First Lieutenant R. W. Vre- .Division quartermaster. 




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190 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




DIVISION HEADQUARTERS AT DIEUE 



denburgh and Second 
Lieutenant Maurice 
E. Shurtleff were re- 
turned to the United 
States to assist in the 
training of the national 
army. Also under the 
direction of the quarter- 
master was the work of 
the ''R. R. & C." officer, 
as he was called — rent- 
als, requisitions and 
claims. The requisition 
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quartermaster's office, was responsible for receiving at railhead all rations, 
forage, equipment, ammunition and other supplies, and for its distribution to 
the proper organizations of the division. jMajor R. H. Stoddard, Captain 
P. E. Haralson and Major Frederick E. Rand held this office. 

The division engineer was the technical advisor of the commanding gen- 
eral and of the division staff on all matters requiring engineering skill and 
knowledge. Colonel Henry A. Allen, who served in this capacity throughout 
the war, was also commander of the loSth Engineers. As division engineer 
he had complete charge of the construction of roads, bridges and mines, and 
was responsible for the maintenance of buildings in the theatre of operations. 
Surveys and maps based on them were also important parts of the engineer's 
task. 

The division signal officer was in charge of all matters pertaining to 
signal affairs, including the procurement of signal supplies. He operated under 
G-i in connection with supplies and work, and under G-3 in connection with 
technical liaison. Officers serving as division signal officer were INIajor Karl 
Truesdell, Major John P. Lucas, Lieutenant Colonel Charles R. Forbes and 
Lieutenant Colonel James B. Taylor. 

The division ordnance officer was charged with the supply of all ammu- 
nition and of all ordnance equipment. He was required to make frequent 
inspections to determine the condition and state of supply of ordnance equip- 
ment, and to make adequate repairs. The officers who served as division 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION STAFF loi 




OFFICERS OF THE DIVISION STAFF 
Top row: Majors Frank W. Barber, Wallace M. Decker, John M. Evey. 
Second row: Majors William M. Gay, Harry F. Hamlin. 
Bottom row: Majors Henry S. Hooker, John P. Lucas (later lieutenant colonel), Frederick E. Rand. 




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THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION STAFF 



193 



ordnance officer were Major Carl C. Oakes, Major Oliver J. Troster, Major 
Frank W. Barber and Major John F. Felker. 

The commander of trains, who was in charge of the transportation sec- 
tion, was not officially a member of the division staff, although he was sta- 
tioned at division headquarters. Elsewhere in this volume a special section 
is devoted to the work of the trains. 

One of the principal officers who had to cooperate with the commander 
of trains was the division motor transport officer. He was responsible for 
the efficient operation of the motor transport service within the division, was 
the supply officer for all motor transport property, and had technical super- 
vision over all motor vehicles. This position was held in turn by Major Fred- 
erick S. Haines, Major John A. Bechtel and Captain George W. Shipton. 

The division gas officer. Captain Will E. Vawter, was responsible for the 
instruction and supervision of commissioned and noncommissioned gas offi- 
cers with the division. He also had under his direction the training of the 
division in methods of protection against gas, and the collection of gas 
material, of enemy as well as friendly origin. 

The division machine gun officer was Lieutenant Colonel David R. 
Swaim. Colonel Swaim had been in command of the 122nd Machine Gun 
Battalion at Camp Logan, but was transferred to the division headquarters 
shortly after arrival overseas. It was his function to coordinate the opera- 
tions of the different machine gun companies and battalions in the division. 

The billeting officers were required to provide billets for officers and 
men of division headquarters, and 
to supervise the activities of billet- 
ing officers of the organizations 
composing the division. These 
officers were Captain Charles Ben- 
son, Lieutenant Oliver J. Sheehy 
and Lieutenant George O. Warren. 

There were also attached to 
division headquarters a division rec- 
reation officer, Lieutenant Herbert 
H. Harris, and officers in com- 
mand of the division postal de- 
tachment, salvage squads and sales 
commissary units. The postal de- 
tachment, under First Lieutenant 
Arthur W. Larson, handled all mail 
matter pertaining to division head- 
quarters. The salvage officer. Sec- 
ond Lieutenant Arthur J. Feeney, 
had charge of the collection and lieutenant colonel david r. swaim 

disposition of all salvage property Originally commander of the 122nd Machine Gun 
.\^. ,.... .. Battalion, Colonel Swam served as division machine 

Wlthm the jurisdiction of the divi- gun officer throughout active operations in France. 




194 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



sion. The sales commissary was virtually a small store where the officers and 
men were permitted to purchase from the government such luxuries as they 
desired. Second Lieutenants James C. Williams and William F. Babor were 
in charge of this commissary unit, Number 311. 

The headquarters troop, under the command of Captain Herbert W. 
Styles, did excellent service. It was a cosmopolitan outfit, its membership 
including men from all walks of life, from the young millionaire to the day 
laborer. Technically the troop was the bodyguard of the commanding general, 
but in reality it had varied duties, ranging from orderly service for the gen- 
eral to policing the camps of the division. The headquarters detachment, 
unlike the police duties of the troop, had work chiefly of a clerical nature. It 
was composed of those noncommissioned officers and privates assigned to 
duty with the various staff corps and departments. 

In addition to the official staff, the commanding general had a personal 
staff of aides-de-camp. The aides have no connection with any staff depart- 
ment, and no specific duty is laid down for them otlier than as the division 
commander may direct. They act somewhat in the capacity of secretaries. 
It is customary for an aide to accompany the general wherever the latter 
choofes to go. During the campaigning in France General Bell's aides were 
Captain Frank Baackes, Captain Frederic M. Roa, Captain Marshall Field, 
Captain Evan A. Woodward, and First Lieutenant Palmer Hutcheson. During 
the training period in Texas the aides were Captain (later Lieutenant Colonel ) 
John P. Lucas, Captain (later Lieutenant Colonel) William H. Simpson and 
Captain Frank Baackes. 




ONE OF THE GIANT NAVAL GUNS 
Which backed up the Thirty-thirci Division in the Argonne drive. 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION STAFF 



195 



THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION— COMMANDING GENERAL AND STAFF 

The names of the officers who have served at one time or another as chiefs of the various 
staff corps and departments, together with their assistants, are given below in the order in which 
such officers served in that capacity, either by appointment of the War Department, by General 
Headquarters, or by acting appointment of the division commander. The rank given iu each 
case is the highest attained by the officer while serving in that particular capacity. In some 
cases officers received promotion after leaving the division. 

Division Commander 

Major General George Bell, Jr., U. S. Army 



Personal Staff 

Aide-de-Camp (at Camp Logan, Texas) 
Captain John P. Lucas 
Captain WOliam H. Simpson 
Captain Frank Baackes, Jr. 

Aide-de-Camp (in France) 
Captain Frederic M. Roa 
Captain Marshall Field, Jr. 
Captain Evan A. Woodward 
ist Lieutenant Palmer Hutcheson 

Official Staff 

Chief of Staff 

Brigadier General William K. Naylor 
Lieutenant Colonel William H. Simpson 
Assistant Chief of Staff, G-i 

Lieutenant Colonel Robert L. Collins 
Lieutenant Colonel W. C. Gardenhire 
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver J. Troster 
Assistant to G-i 

Captain Charles C. Benson 
Captain Albert H. Sheffield 
ist Lieutenant John W. Sadler 
Major Harry F. Hamlin 

(R. R. & C, Officer & Zone Major) 
Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 
Major Arthur M. Copp 
Lieutenant Colonel Charles C. Allen 
Assistant to G-2 

Captain (Chaplain) Carl F. Lauer 
ist Lieutenant Evan A. Woodward 
ist Lieutenant Robert J. Fisher 
Captain Clyde L. G. Thompson 
Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 

Lieutenant Colonel W. H. Simpson 
Major C. L. Sampson 
Major Roane Waring 
Major M. B. Southwick 
Lieutenant Colonel E. W. Wildrick 
Assistant to G-3 

Captain Joseph C. Grason 
1st Lieutenant H. B. Beebe 
Captain William J. Grace 
2nd Lieutenant Loy Mcintosh (later 
ist Lieutenant) 
Division Adjutant 

Lieutenant Colonel Frederic L. Huide- 

koper 
Lieutenant Colonel James H. Stansfield 
(acting) 



Assistant to Adjutant 

Major H. C. Castor 

Major Henry S. Hooker 
Personnel Adjutant 

Major Robin C. Keene 

Captain George G. Shor 

Captain Frank A. Biederman 
Assistant to Personnel Adjutant 

ist Lieutenant Robert E. Mathew? 

ist Lieutenant Louis B. Tovstein 

1st Lieutenant Milo G. Miller 

2nd Lieutenant Brooke Fellers 
Division Inspector 

Major C. R. Abraham 

Lieutenant Colonel William H. Cowle.. 

Major Frank W. Barber 

Lieutenant Colonel C. S. Freis 

Lieutenant Colonel Pierre V. Kieffer 
Assistant to Division Inspector 

ist Lieutenant Sidney D. Emerson 
Division Judge Advocate 

Lieutenant Colonel Burnett M. Chiper- 
field 

Lieutenant Colonel James H. Stans- 
field 
Assistant to Division Judge Advocate 

Major Oscar L. Smith 

Major Harry F. Hamlin 
Division Quartermaster 

Lieutenant Colonel W. C. Gardenhire 

Major Frank W. Barber 

Lieutenant Colonel J. T. B. Jones 
Assistant to Division Quartermaster 

Major Frank W. Barber 

Major J. T. B. Jones 

Major Rufus H. Stoddard (Q. M. C. 
Supplies) 

Major Frederick E. Rand (Transporta- 
tion) 

Captain Edd. R. Turner (Division Ex- 
change Officer) 

Captain David W. Shand (later Major) 

Captain Paul E. Haralson (Subsist- 
ence) 

Captain Irvin D. Hess (Finance) 

ist Lieutenant R. W. Vredenburg 
(Finance) 

1st Lieutenant Clay M. Donner (Asst. 
Finance) 



196 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



ist Lieutenant Robert W. Int;ram 
(Bathing Unit) 

1st Lieutenanl David B. Starrett (Sub- 
sistence) 

ist Lieutenant Charles H. Thurman 
(Asst. Subsistence) 
Graves Registration Officer 

Captain Harris F. Hall 

Captain \'irgil C. Nickerson 
Assistant Graves Registration Officer 

ist Lieutenant (Chaplain) Robert M. 
Kellerman 
Division Surgeon 

Colonel Levi IVL Hathaway 

Colonel Harry D. Orr 
Assistant to Division Surgeon 

Lieutenant Colonel Herman FL Tuttle 
(Sanitary Inspector) 

Major William M. Gay (Tuberculosis 
Specialist) 

Major Raymond W. Pearson (Division 
Dental Officer) 

Major John M. Evey (Division Dental 
Officer) 

Major Frederick. S. Frederickson (Gas 
Officer) 

Major Wallace M. Decker (Division 
Veterinarian) 

Major Robert J. Gay 

Major (j. M. Blech (Assistant Division 
Surgeon) 

Captain Thomas H. England (Comdg. 
Division Medical Supply Unit) 

Major Thomas J. Riach (Division 
Psychiatrist) 

Captain William S. Ehrich (Division 
Urologist) 

1st Lieutenant Leon Seidler (Asst. Di- 
vision Urologist) 

ist Lieutenant Henry W. Grady (Di- 
vision Orthopaedist) 

Captain Eugene S. Allen (Division 
Veterinarian) 

1st Lieutenant Clarence P. Harris (X- 
Ray Specialist) 
Chief Engineer 

Colonel Henry A. Allen 
Division Ordnance Officer 

Major Carl C. Oakes 

Major Oliver J. Troster 



Major Frank W. Barber 
Major John F. Felkcr 
Assistant to Division Ordnance Officer 
ist Lieutenant Robert B. Day 
:nd Lieutenant H. S. Hoit 
Division Signal Officer 
Major Karl Truesdell 
!>Lijor John P. Lucas 
Lieutenant Colonel Charles R. Forbes 
Lieutenant Colonel James B. Taylor 
Assistant to Division Signal Officer 
1st Lieutenant Norman J. Ambs 
Division Gas Officer 

Captain Will E. Vawter 
Assistant to Division Gas Officer 
ist Lieutenant J. M. Dain 
2nd Lieutenant A. W. Maddocks 
Division Machine Gun Officer 

Lieutenant Colonel David R. Swaim 
Division Motor Transport Officer 
Major Frederick S. Haines 
Captain George W. Shipton 
Assistant to Division Motor Transport 
Officer 
2nd Lieutenant William H. Merriman 
Billeting Officers 

ist Lieutenant Oliver J. Sheehy 
ist Lieutenant George O. Warren 
2nd Lieutenant Frederick A. Prince, 
Assistant to G-i and G-3 
Headquarters Troop 

Captain Herbert W. Styles 
ist Lieutenant Thomas J. Cochrane 
2nd Lieutenant Richard R. Notter 
Attached 

ist Lieutenant Arthur W. Larson, 

Commanding Postal Detachment 
ist Lieutenant Herbert H. Harris, Di- 
vision Recreation Officer 
2nd Lieutenant Arthur J. Feeney, Com- 
manding Salvage Squad No. 13 
2nd Lieutenant James C. Williams, 
Commanding Sales Commissary UTnit 
311 
2nd Lieutenant William F. Babor, Sales 
Commissary Unit 311 
Division Headquarters on Detail 
Captain Clyde H. Hale 
ist Lieutenant Henry Cavalier Smith, 

Jr. 
ist Lieutenant John A. Lunn 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE HEADQUARTERS THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION WHO WERE 
CITED FOR GALLANTRY BY GENERAL BELL 



Colonels 

W. C. Gardcnhirc 
Levi M. Hathaway 
Harrv D. Orr 



Lifiil'iKint Coliuirls 
Charles C. Allen 
Burnett M. Chiperlield 
William H. Cowles 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION STAFF 



197 




OFFICERS OF THE DIVISION STAFF 
Top row: Captains Frank A. Biederman, Clyde H. Hale, V. C. Nickerson, Frederic M. Roa. 
Second row: Captains G W Shipton, Herbert W. Styles, Will E. Vawter, E. A. Woodward. 
Third row: First Lieutenants R. M. Kellerman, A. W. Larson, Louis B. Lovstein, John A. Lunn. 
Bottom row: First Lieutenants Milo G. Miller, John W. Sadler, H. C. Smith, Jr., Harold G. Ward. 



198 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Frederic L. Huidekoper 
J. T. B. Jones 
William H. Simpson 
David R. Swaim 
Oliver J. Troster 
Herman H. Tuttle 

Majors 

Frank W. Barber 
Wallace M. Decker 
John M. Evey 
George F. Felker 
Robert J. Gay 
Wm. M. Gay 
Frederick S. Haines 
Harry F. Hamlin 
Henry S. Hooker 
Robin C. Keene 
Frederick E. Rand 
Thomas J. Riach 
Wm. C. Roller 
M. B. South wick 
R. H. Stoddard 
Roane Waring 

Captains 

Frank A. Biederman 
Marshall Field 
Robert J. Fischer 
Henry A. Fisher 
Paul E. Haralson 
Irvin D. Hess 
Carl F. Lauer 
Robert E. Mathews 
Virgil C. Nickerson 
Frederic M. Roa 
Albert H. Sheffield 
Herbert W. Styles 
Clyde L. G. Thompson 
Evan A. Woodward 

First Lieutenants 

Thomas J. Cochrane 
Palmer Hutcheson 
Milo G. Miller 
Oliver J. Sheehy 
Louis B. Tovstein 
Charies H. Thurman 

Second Lieutenants 
Brooke Fellers 
Richard R. Notter 

Army Field Clerks 
Kenny P. Hart 
William Lewis Judy 
H. Edwin Larson 
F. V. McGowan 
K. L. Van Sickle 



Regimental Sergeant Majors 
Edward L. Biel 
Frank E. Fisher 
Charles F. Pipkin 
Julius R. Richardson 

Hospital Sergeant 
Elmer H. Reed 

Battalion Sergeant Majors 
Arvid E. Anderson 
Clarence A. Anderson 
Frank Grabin 
Thomas R. Joyce 
Howard F. Mann 
Marcus J. McGrath 
Lloyd Willoughby 

Sergeants, First Class 
Frank J. Bresnan 
Lawrence E. Head 
Jack E. Johns 

Sergeants 

Arthur B. Blair 
Wm. W. Bloss 
Harold T. Bonser 
Francis J. Carnahan 
Harlan B. Eldred 
Wm. A. Gillespie 
Max C. Kramer 
Harley L. Peacock 
James Philbin 
Harold F. Plamondon 
John A. Ploger 
Frank E. Rusdorf 
Harry J. Ryan 
Clyde R. Thackeray 
Fred M. Weiss 
Norman J. White 
Michael J. Whitty 
Walter C. Wilander 

Mechanic 

Louis H. Snyder 

Wagotiers 

Royal E. Bailey 
William H. Coffey 
Howard E. Colgan 
Max Masor 
Thomas S. Odiorne 
Harry F. Swanson 

Privates, First Class 

William T. Blackwell 
Wm. C. Bross 



THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION STAFF 



199 



Arthur J. Bryngelson 
Carl F. Hill 
William P. Petter 
John L. Proctor 
Albert D. Rasmussen 
Frank J. Singer 
Charles P. S. Smith 
Sture Swanson 
Wm. H. Tenwick 
George O. Weiss 
Ernest D. Wintrows 
Robert Young 
Garnett L. Zang 

Privates 

■ Ulysses S. Abel 
Arthur J. Anderson 
Gordon V. Ban Buren 
Samuel C. Berry 



Earl R. Clement 
Frank A. Dombrowski 
John J. Gaffney 
James J. Gavigan 
Earl R. Heilbron 
Milton H. Keyes 
Joseph Kotlewski 
Harold McConnell 
Robert E. McGinley, Jr. 
Jerome A. O'Connell, Jr, 
Charles H. Redding 
Theodore C. Rhylick 
Guy B. Stasio 
Charles Stevens 
William Travis 
Kenneth F. Vail 
Wm. Williams 
Thomas R. Young 
William Zierke 



OFFICERS OF THE THIRTY-THIRD DIVISION STAFF WHO WERE AWARDED CER- 
TIFICATES FOR ESPECIALLY MERITORIOUS AND CONSPICUOUS SERVICE 



Colonel Levi M. Hathaway 
Lieutenant Colonel William H. Simpson 
Lieutenant Colonel John T. B. Jones 
Lieutenant Colonel Frederic L. Huidekoper 
Lieutenant Colonel William C. Gardenhire 



Lieutenant Colonel Burnett M. Chiperfield 

Major Frederick S. Haines 

Major Henry S. Hooker 

Major Frank W. Barber 

ist Lieutenant Charles H. Thurman 




AN AMMUNITION DUMP AT GERMONVILLE 



2 00 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




BRIGADIER GENERAL PAUL A. WOLF 
Commander Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade. 




THE MEUSE RIVE_R AS SEEN FROM CQN3ENY0YE 



The Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade 

By Paul A. Wolf 

Brigadier General, U. S. A. 



TT fell to the lot of the Sixty-sixth In- 
fantry Brigade to play a very im- 
portant part in every one of the 
important engagements in which the 
Thirty-third Division participated 
during its service overseas. For 
this reason it truly may be said that 
the history of the Sixty-sixth Bri- 
gade, in a sense, is the history of 
the Thirty-third Division. 

It so happened that the Sixty- 
sixth Brigade was in line and in a 
logical position to initiate all the 
major operations of the division. 
Elements of the brigade participated 
in the attacks made in conjunction 
with the British army during July, 191 8. The initial attack of the Thirty- 
third Division in the great Meuse-Argonne campaign was carried out by the 
Sixty-sixth Brigade with its two infantry regiments fighting side by side. 
During the closing days of the war this brigade staged one of the raids which 
initiated the attacks made by the Thirty-third Division in the St. Mihiel 
sector. It was chance, perhaps, which enabled the brigade to gain this distinc- 
tion but, nevertheless, it is a source of pride to the officers and men, who at all 
times courageously stood the first shock of battle for our division. 

201 




202 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



The Sixty-sixth Brigade was composed of the 131st and 132nd Infantry 
Regiments, 124th Machine Gun Battalion and the headquarters detachment. 
The infantry units formerly had been the First and Second Regiments, Illi- 
nois National Guard. The machine gun battalion was formed from elements 
of another national guard regiment. These units were trained with the re- 
mainder of the Thirty-third Division at Camp Logan, where they were at first 
under the command of Brigadier General Foster. 

I joined the brigade as its commander during the formative period. At 
that time the spirit of officers and men, while undergoing the rigorous and 
monotonous course of training, indicated the sort of behavior to be expected 




BRIGADIER GENERAL WOLF AND HIS STAFF 

Left to right: Lieui. P. Hemery, interpreter, 2nd Lieut. J. W. Clarke, ist Lieut. A. M. Clissold, 
Capt. (later Major) H. P. Erskine, Brigadier General Wolf, Capt. P. J. Dupleix, French liaison 
officer, ist Lieut J. A. St. Louis, Capt. W. H. Wildes, 2nd Lieut. O. A. Meyer. 



of the organization when under fire. Every task assigned the brigade was 
performed cheerfully and efficiently. It became a hard, fit body of fighting 
men. 

May, 191 8, brought the long-awaited order to embark. With the rest 
of the division, the Sixty-sixth Brigade entrained for Hoboken, from which 
port it sailed for France. The crossing, in the case of most of the units, was 
made without incident, but the strain of the long days and nights at sea, with- 
out lights and in constant danger of attack from an unseen enemy, made the 
men glad to march again when Brest was reached. 

The brigade was hurried from the port to a training area near Amiens, 
just back of a British sector held \)y veteran Australian troops. There the 



THE SIXTY-SIXTH INFANTRY BRIGADE 



203 




BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS AT DEUXNOUDS 
Formerly the headquarters of General Ludendorf. 



Americans received in- 
tensive instruction in the 
methods of trench fight- 
ing from British officers 
who had been selected 
for duty as teachers. 
The brigade's progress 
was rapid. In Httle more 
than a month it was 
judged fit for active serv- 
ice. 

The honor of leading 
the Prairie Division into 
action fell to four com- 
panies of the Sixty-sixth 
Brigade, with six com- 
panies in reserve. They were ordered into the trenches with the Australians 
for an attack on Hamel to be delivered on the morning of July 4, 

Fighting beside the Australians, the Americans exhibited such gallantry 
and skill as to win lavish praise from the Allies. They were cited in orders, 
and later many individuals were decorated for conspicuous bravery. 

The 131st Infantry gained further distinction through the successful 
attack which the regiment made upon Chipilly Ridge and Gressaire Wood — ■ 
an operation of considerable importance in connection with the opening of the 
new British offensive on the Somme. The brigade was kept in the trenches 
with the British through 
the month of July and 
most of August. The 
British seemed genuinely 
sorry to lose the Ameri- 
cans as comrades when 
the whole division was 
ordered into the famous 
sector near Verdun. 

The transfer seemed 
to promise action. By 
September 5, it was evi- 
dent that the promise 
was to be fulfilled. The 
brigade was sent into the 
line, both the 131st and 
the 132nd Regiments 

occupying positions on ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^,^ HEADQUARTERS AT GERMON- 

Dead Man s Hill, This VILLE 

famous hill was one of Showing dugouts and the system of camouflage. 




204 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



the greatest burial grounds of the entire western front. It had been the scene 
of tremendous fighting, but the Germans opposite had established themselves 
so formidably that they had not been disturbed by the Allies for more than 
a year. 

Fortunately their long freedom from attack and the solidity of their 
positions had made the enemy overconfident, and they were an easier prey 
for us when we overran them on that memorable morning of September 26. 

And for the Sixty-sixth Brigade it was truly a memorable morning. I 
doubt if the events of that day ever will be effaced from the minds of those 
who had a part in them. Official reports show that the brigade took more 
than a thousand prisoners, as well as many cannon and machine guns. These 
reports, however, do not disclose the splendid individual deeds of courage 




GENERAL WOLF'S BILLET AT DEUXNOUDS 



and the innumerable acts of heroism that made victory possible. They can- 
not give even a faint semblance of an idea of the sufferings of those who fell 
while crossing that shell-torn valley of the Forges Stream. 

The days that followed were not less difficult. Enemy batteries beyond 
the Meuse began sending over a terrific hail of shells, hoping to batter the 
Illinoisans out of the new positions. Rain increased the difficulty of holding 
the new lines by flooding roads in the rear and delaying food and ammunition. 
But the supply trains struggled through somehow, and the brigade held its 
ground, consolidating its lines and recuperating for a fresh attack. 

Orders for a renewal of the offensive were not long in coming. The 
brigade was instructed to push across the INIeuse against the enemy, now 
entrenched along the heights beyond the river. 

Exhausted as the men were by the ordeal of the initial attack and the 
strain of holding fast under incessant fire, they leaped into battle again in the 



THE SIXTY-SIXTH INFANTRY BRIGADE 205 

manner of fresh troops. They fought their way across the river at Consen- 
voye. Then they swept up the heights, overwhehiiing the German Hne and 
advancing on to Sivry. The enemy several times counterattacked sharply in 
a desperate effort to regain lost ground, but the brigade did not falter. 

After forty days in the line the brigade was relieved. Instead of going 
to a rest area, however, it was sent to the trenches near Troyon. This sector 
was supposedly quiet. Its reputation for peacefulness did not last long after 
the Sixty-sixth Brigade had occupied it. Fighting was almost incessant until 
November 11. Even on the morning of Armistice Day the brigade had 
launched an attack through the Hindenburg Line which had to be cut short 
when the order came to cease firing. 




GENERAL VIEW OF BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS 

At Deuxnouds, November 6, lOiS. 



The brigade was given a short rest after the cessation of fighting. Then 
it proceeded into Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. Subsequently 
plans were changed, and the entire Thirty-third Division was withdrawn to 
Luxemburg, where it went into winter quarters. In May, 1919, the brigade 
returned to the United States. It was demobilized at Camp Grant after par- 
ticipating in the welcome home celebration held in Chicago. 

I have endeavored to set forth briefly the distinctive efforts of the Sixty- 
sixth Brigade as a whole. I regret that it is not possible to give due recogni- 
tion to every individual member of the unit. I can only add a few words 
concerning those who were associated most directly with me in the administra- 
tion of the brigade. 

Colonels Sanborn and Davis, the regimental commanders, I count among 



206 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



my devoted friends. They gave perfect cooperation at all times and the suc- 
cessful operations of the brigade were due in no small measure to their unfail- 
ing loyalty and devotion to duty. They and their lieutenant colonels, Eddy 
and Stansfield, their staffs and battalion commanders, and Major Putman, 
commander of the 124th Machine Gun Battalion, were always ready, under 
the most trying circumstances, to carry out orders, however difficult the tasks 
assigned to them. They never faltered, although there were moments when 
patience was sorely tried and all were under great and prolonged strain. 

My own personal staff rendered splendid service. It consisted of Major 
H. P. Erskine, brigade adjutant; Captain William H. Wildes, brigade signal 
officer; Lieutenants J. A. St. Louis and James W. Clarke, my aides, and Lieu- 
tenants Charles A. Martin, Oliver A. Meyer and Constant Simpson. These 
officers were with me throughout the period of our service overseas, and our 
relations, which necessarily were intimate, were always pleasant. 

For the men and officers of the line it is difficult to find fitting words of 
praise. Their record speaks for them. For the families of those who were 
left on the battlefields, I have sympathy far deeper than I can express. For 
them there must be consolation, and for those of us who were fortunate enough 
to return safely home, there must be a never ending source of pride in the 
knowledge that in all the A. E. F. there were no braver soldiers and no truer 
Americans than the officers and men who comprised the Sixty-sixth Infantry 
Brigade. 




AN AMERICAN OBSERVATION BALLOON IN FLAMES. 
NEAR LA CLAIRE, SEPTEMBER 26, 1Q18 



THE SIXTY-SIXTH INFANTRY BRIGADE 



207 



DECORATIONS RECEIVED BY OFFICERS AND MEN OF HEADQUARTERS, 
SIXTY-SIXTH INFANTRY BRIGADE 



Brigadier General 
Paul A. Wolf 

Distinguished Service Medal 

Officer Legion of Honor 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 



Sergeant 

George B. Gourley 

Distinguished Service Cross 
The Military Medal 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE HEADQUARTERS, SIXTY-SIXTH INFANTRY BRIGADE, 
WHO WERE CITED FOR GALLANTRY BY GENERAL BELL 



Major 

Harold P. 



Erskine 



Captain 

William H. Wildes 

First Lieutenants 

Charles A. Martin 
Oliver A. Meyer 
Joseph A. St. Louis 

Regimental Sergeant Major 
Thomas H. Stevens 



Sergeant 

Theron O. Potter 

Cook 

Henry A. Arend 

Privates, First Class 
Donald P. Gibson 
Edward C. Howard 



ROSTER OF OFFICERS HEADQUARTERS, SIXTY-SIXTH INFANTRY BRIGADE 



Brigadier General 
Paul A. Wolf 

Commanding Sixty-sixth Infantry Bri- 
gade 

Lieutenant Colonel 

James H. Stansfield 

Brigade Adjutant from February, 1918, 
to June 30, 1918 

Majors 

Harold P. Erskine 

Brigade Adjutant from September 20, 
IQ18, to March i, 1910 
William Y. Hendron 

Brigade Adjutant from June 30, 1918, 
to September 20, 1918 

Captains 

P. J. Dupleix 

French Liaison Officer 
William H. Wildes 

Aide to Brigadier General Wolf 



First Lieutenants 
James W. Clarke 

Supply Officer 
A. M. Clissold 

Munitions Officer 
Rene Hemery 

Interpreter 
Charles A. Martin 

American Liaison Officer, Acting Bri- 
gade Adjutant from March i to May 

15, 1919 
Oliver A. Meyer 

Veterinarian 
Henri Poire 

French Liaison Officer 
Constant C. Simpson 

Munitions Officer 
Joseph A. St. Louis 

Aide to General Wolf 
V. G. Willis, Assistant Veterinarian 



208 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




COLONEL JOSEPH B. SANBORN 
Commander of the 131st Infantry, 




AT DRILLANCOURT, GR.WES OF THE 131 si's DEAD IN THE FOREGROUND 



The 131st Infantry 

Colonel Joseph B. Sanborn, Editor 
By Captain George N. INIalstrom, Operations Officer 

HE First Illinois Infantry, which served in the World 
War as the 131st United States Infantry, has had 
a prominent place in the military history of the 
state ever since the organization of the regiment 
in 1874. After more than forty years of service 
as a national guard unit the regiment lost its name 
but not its entity when it was inducted into the 
federal service in 191 7. The men of the 131st 
have never forgotten that they also were men of 
the old "Dandy First" and they take pride in 
their long and honorable record as national 
guardsmen as well as in the conspicuous service 
rendered by the regiment overseas in 191 8. 

First steps were taken toward the formation 
of the regiment at a meeting held on August 25. 
1874, and on September 8 organization was 
effected. The regiment was composed largely of 
Civil War veterans. The famous Ellsworth 
Zouaves joined in a body as Company G. 

The regiment saw its first active service in 1875. It was called out for 
riot duty on February 12. During the railroad riots and the coal miners' 
strike at Braidwood, July 26 to 31, 1877, it again was sent into the field. The 
regiment served during the stockyards riots in Chicago on Christmas Day in 

209 




2IO 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




THE HOME OF THE OLD DANDY FIRST 



1879, and was on duty at 
the yards again in No- 
vember, 1886. It was 
sent to quell the coal 
miners' riots at Pana in 
June, 1894, and a month 
later was called out 
again, this time to serve 
for thirty-three days at 
Pullman during the great 
railroad strike. 

When war w^as de- 
clared on Spain the regi- 
ment volunteered in a 
body, and entered active 
service April 26, 1898, 
as the First Regiment, 
Illinois Volunteer Infan- 
try. It was one of the few well-trained national guard regiments that re- 
sponded to the call and was selected to accompany the first regular army 
expedition. It went to Cuba with the Army of Invasion under General 
Shaffer and was in the trenches facing Santiago when the Spaniards there 
surrendered, the Illinois fighters holding the line between Roosevelt's ''Rough 
Riders" on the left and the First District of Columbia Volunteers on the 
right. The colonel of the First, Henry L. Turner, was promoted to com- 
mand a provisional brigade, under the great Indian fighter. General John C. 
Bates. The regiment was among the last troops of the invading army to 
leave Cuba. 

The war service lasted until November 17. Returning to its old status 
as a national guard regiment, the "Dandy First" then led a fairly peaceful 
existence for nearly two decades, except for a few days in August, 1908, 
when it was on duty during race riots at Springfield. 

When trouble with INIexico seemed certain, in 191 6, the First was called 
out by the federal government and sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, for 
border duty. There it received intensive training with results which won 
the highest commendation of regular army officers — a training which was 
to prove of great value in the World War. 

During these pre-war years the regiment's duties were not altogether 
of a belligerent nature. The "Dandy First" represented Illinois on two exten- 
sive pleasure trips through the southern states, helping to cement a new 
bond of friendship between the North and the South. It paraded and ex- 
hibited at four world's expositions and at the Pan-American exposition in 
San Diego. The regiment made a western trip in 191 5, remaining several 
weeks at the World's Fair, San Francisco, where its perfect drilling won 
high praise. It escorted four presidents — Grover Cleveland, William Mc- 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



211 




LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES M. EDDY 



Kinley, William Howard Taft and 
Theodore Roosevelt. Trophies of 
its athletic prowess, its marks- 
manship and its tactical superi- 
ority in those pre-war days hang 
beside its war relics in the regi- 
mental armory. 

Such was the record of Illi- 
nois' oldest regiment in March, 
191 7, when it was called to the 
colors by the federal government 
for service that was to win it new 
and greater fame. 

The call to arms was issued 
by Governor Lowden to the First 
Regiment on March 26, 191 7. At 
5:26 a. m. Colonel Joseph B. San- 
born received the order to ''re- 
port with your regiment to the 
commanding general of the Cen- 
tral Department, U. S. A,, for 

duty." At I p. m. he reported with 47 officers and 725 men of a total of 
50 officers and 874 men in the regiment. With the exception of a few who 
were ill or out of the city, the missing men reported a little later, and the 
regiment was virtually at full strength when IMajor General Thomas. H. 
Barry, commanding the Central Department, assigned it to guard the power 
and light plants at Joliet and Lockport, the navigable waters south of the 
city, including the Calumet river, and all railroad bridges southeast to the 
Indiana line. 

To perfect the details of the posting, housing, and feeding of guards 
over this great territory, to draw up regulations governing the use of rail- 
road bridges and waterways, and to make the necessary maps, were tasks 
requiring energy and resourcefulness on the part of the officers. The tasks 
were accomplished promptly and efficiently. By March 31, Major Abel 
Davis and Major John V. Clinnin, acting under the direction of their colonel, 
had completed the distribution of troops and preparations for their care. 

Units of the regiment that were not on guard duty established a camp 
at Twelfth street in Cicero on April 25 and began receiving the regimental 
transport and other equipment, at the same time drilling constantly. 

Convicts in the penitentiary at Joliet revolted on June 5, overpowering 
their guards and setting fire to prison buildings. Companies G and E, under 
Major Clinnin, were in camp at Dellwood Park in Joliet at the time. With 
IMajor Clinnin at their head they hurried to the penitentiary, arriving just 
as the convicts were about to batter down the gates and escape. 

Rushing inside with fixed bayonets, the soldiers subdued the infuriated 



212 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



mob, although the convicts were armed and in desperate mood. Not a shot 
was fired by the troops, and few of the convicts were injured, though they 
fought hard before returning to their cell houses. After subduing the mob 
the soldiers battled for three hours to get the fires in the prison buildings 
under control. 

For this service, officers and men of the two companies received com- 
mendatory letters from federal, state, and county authorities and were offi- 
cially praised by the commanding general of the Central Department. 

Meanwhile, the regiment was assisting the federal government in form- 
ing the new army. All officers who could be spared from guard duty were 
ordered to act as mustering officers to other national guard units. The band 
and the machine gun company were sent to Fort Sheridan to aid in the in- 
struction of officers in the first officers' training camp. 

Disorder at Camp Grant, where the great cantonment was then under 
construction, compelled the government to send a detail from the First Regi- 
ment there July 6. Lawlessness and drunkenness were common in the camp. 
Agents of the I. W. W. were trying to provoke strikes and sabotage. The 
troops quickly restored order, and the construction work went ahead. Other 
units of the regiment were sent to the camp as fast as they could be relieved 
of the guard duty to which they had previously been assigned. 

Major Davis was assigned to command of the troops in the cantonment. 

He organized a camp 
guard, perfected plans 
for the protection of the 
great stores of lumber 
against fire, and main- 
tained order among the 
workmen. The manner 
in which he handled a 
difficult situation was 
highly praised by Gen- 
eral Barry at the conclu- 
sion of the regiment's 
service in the camp. 

On August 5, while 
it was on duty at Camp 
Grant, the regiment was 
drafted into federal serv- 
ice. For the time being, 
however, it was held at 
the cantonment, first to 
preserve order and a 
little later to assist in the 
J training of drafted sol- 
THE ARRIVAL AT CAMP LOGAN diers. By September i, 




THE 131ST INFANTRY 



213 




SHOW DOWN INSPECTION AT CAMP LOGAN 

when the drafted men began to arrive, a system of mihtary poHce had been 
organized for duty in Rockford, a fire department had been formed in the 
camp, and gambling and hquor smuggling among 6,000 transient workmen 
had practically been stamped out. 

Soon 30,000 drafted men were in the cantonment. Their presence in- 
creased the regiment's duties at first, but gradually the new arrivals acquired 
discipline enough to assume the responsibility of guarding the camp. By 
the end of the month it was decided that the First could be spared. The 
regiment was withdrawn on October i and entrained for Camp Logan, after 
a hearty send-off by General Barry and the new national army troops. 

At Camp Logan active preparations to fit the men for service overseas 
were begun immediately. A progressive system of daily drill and physical 
exercises was arranged and was faithfully followed. The men took up special 
practice in bayonet fighting, hand grenade throwing, and gas defense. Rifle 
ranges were built and shooting competition encouraged. 

Gradually men were selected for training with such weapons as the 
trench mortar, the 37 mm. cannon, the machine gun and the automatic rifle. 
Others were schooled in the more technical branches of signaling — visually, 
by wire, and with wireless. Scouting, observation, and map-making were 
taught to picked soldiers, and those with smatterings of French and German 
received more thorough instructions in those languages. 

Less warlike but no less necessary duties, such as cooking and baking, 
the care of animals and transport, rationing and supply, and sanitation were 
not neglected. Specialists were developed in these lines as well as in the 
methods of waging war. 



214 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



The regiment became the 131st Infantry, U. S. A., a unit of the Sixty- 
sixth Brigade, Thirty-third Division, at midnight on October 10, when the 
reorganization of the Illinois National Guard to form the division was formal- 
ly ordered. 

The course of training was interrupted in November by the outbreak 
of strikes in the oil fields around Humble, Texas. On the first day of the 
month Major Davis and the first battalion were sent to the oil district to 
prevent expected violence. They remained on duty until November 15. 
While they were absent from Camp Logan, Governor Lowden, with Mrs. 
Lowden and a party of distinguished guests, visited the regiment, and pre- 
sented to it a beautiful stand of silken flags, national and regimental, which 




A CONFERENCE AT CAMP LOGAN 

Captain Hendron, Colonel Sanborn, Lieutenant Colonel Eddy and Major Abel Davis. 



were carried throughout the war. The Governor and his party later visited 
the first battalion at Humble. 

As the winter of 191 8 advanced the training became more severe. Un- 
der the direction of French officers assigned to the division a complete trench 
system was built, and the regiment simulated war conditions in its drill. The 
131st showed the results of its thorough previous training. Company E, com- 
manded by Captain Hamlet C. Ridgway, was adjudged the model company 
of the division in a competitive drill in which the model companies of all regi- 
ments participated. 

Another result of its thorough training, though a gratifying compliment, 
was less helpful to the regiment. As defects began to appear in the division 
many officers were promoted and transferred from the 131st to other units. 
Two majors — Davis and Clinnin — became colonels, all medical officers but one 
were promoted and reassigned, seven captains became majors, and nearly 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



215 




lyi 


nppp|H 


j^KXftl 


H^m ^8u 




Pwt4l 




B^T^vJW ''~'^****^H|B 


i 1 


^M 




^ 



U.N DUTY AT THE HUMBLE UlL i^lELDs 
Major Davis presents the first battalion to Governor Lowden and his party. 

all first lieutenants and all second lieutenants were promoted. The vacancies 
thus created were filled by the promotion of non-commissioned officers, many 
of whom gained the rank of first lieutenant. 

After a ten-day march in simulation of war conditions, which was started 
on April 8 to keep the men from going stale, the regiment returned to camp 
to find large drafts of new recruits awaiting assignment. The drafts were 
largely unsatisfactory, including hundreds of physically unfit men, many 
alien enemies and illiterates, and scores of others who could not understand 
English. Of the 1,300 sent to the regiment 400 were eliminated as physically 
unfit. Of the others, all 
who could not read and 
write English and all of 
enemy nationality were 
sent to home service 
regiments. The few who 
were left gave a good 
account of themselves. 
Later drafts were more 
satisfactory, and by 
May I the regiment was 
filled to war strength. 

During the first 
days of May indications 
pointed to an early de- 
parture for overseas, as 
each morning it was 

found that some part of ^, , . , A friendly CHAT 

. , , , , The Governor with the men of Company C, of which he was 

the camp had been de- once an officer. 




2l6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



serted during the night. The troops stole away under the cover of darkness. 
Finally the turn of the 131st Infantry came and on the morning of May 9 
the last section of the regiment left Camp Logan for its eastward journey. 
The regiment traveled by different routes to Camp Upton, the last section 
arriving at its destination on the morning of May 15. The regiment's stay 
in Camp Upton was short, and on May 20 it moved to Hoboken, where it em- 
barked on the transport Leviathan, formerly the German steamship Vater- 
land. At 3:45 p. m. on May 22 the great ship steamed out of the harbor 
bound for France. 

The journey was eventful. The huge transport, darkened, pursued a 
zig-zag course to foil the enemy's submarines; the gun crews were constantly 




THE LEVIATHAN STEAMS AWAY TO FRANCE 
With the 131st Infantry on board. 



on the alert. The troops practiced "call to quarters" and fire drill frequently 
to be ready for disaster. 

And the disaster nearly came, though not till the shores of France were 
almost in sight. Four submarines suddenly appeared off the transport's stern. 
The ship's guns were trained on them as soon as their periscopes came above 
the surface, and a salvo of well directed shots sent them down in a hurry. 
Later it was reported that two of the four under-sea boats were destroyed 
and one forced to surrender to the flotilla of destroyers convoying the big 
transport. 

Although the L^-boats were defeated, the unending precautions against 
them had been wearying, and it was a happy shipload of soldiers that the 
transport carried into the harbor of Brest at noon on May 30. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



217 



The regiment debarked before sunset and 
marched to Pontanezen barracks, a collection of 
stone buildings which Napoleon had used for his sol- 
diers. Those of the 131st who were lucky enough 
to find any beds at all slept on the old iron cots used 
by Napoleon's men. 

On June 4 the regiment departed for Oisemont, 
carrying a minimum of equipment. Records, type- 
writers, stencils, repair kits, and great quantities of 
personal property had to be left. Most of these 
things were not recovered, and the regiment's effi- 
ciency was impaired for some time by the lack of 
them. 

At Oisemont the regiment was placed under the 
command of the British for actual battle training. 
British "cadres" (instructors) were attached to the 
unit to direct the instruction of the men. Here, too, 
the 131st had its first experience with the billeting system. The custom of 
housing soldiers in private homes seemed strange at first, but the men soon 
made themselves at home. 

Several changes of billets followed. On June 21, the regiment reached 
Pierregot, in the war zone, and was attached to the Third Corps of the Fourth 
British Army. 

From the regimental camp the heavy guns could be heard rumbling in 
the distance, and at night from the high hills in the vicinity of the camp 
flashes from the cannon and signal lights from the battlefields could be seen. 
Here, also, the Germans paid their first respects to the regiment. Their air- 
planes made frequent raids over the area in which the regiment was billeted, 




WHITE-WING CHARLEY 
OF PIERREGOT 




CHOOSING A SITE FOR OFFICERS' QUARTERS AT PIERREGOT 



2l8 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 






A BRITISH MACHINE GUN NEST 
Of steel and concrete, with a revolving turret. 



and many battles were fought be- 
tween British and German planes 
in sight of the camp. Many Ger- 
man planes were brought down by 
the British fliers in the course of 
these combats. 

All training now was in dead- 
ly earnest. Precautions were taken 
to prevent lights from showing at 
night, and pits were dug under tents 
to reduce the casualties which re- 
sulted from the bombing raids of 
the Germans. During this period 
the regiment suffered its first cas- 
ualty, a German aerial bomb killing 
one and wounding several of the men who were on guard. At this time, 
also, the soldiers began to realize that their gas masks were their best friends. 
One private expressed the sentiment of all of his comrades by stenciling on 
his mask the words, "I need thee every hour;" another, "In thee I trust." 
Gradually the regiment was taken into the front-line trenches with the 
British. The men went forward first by squads and companies and later by 
battalions. The sector was a vital one. It was part of the Amiens defense 
system and faced the ruined town of Albert, which the Germans had held in 
force since their drive of March 21. 

The training in this battle area offered quite a contrast to that in which 
the regiment had been engaged previously. Shells fell intermittently, at times 
blotting out whole stretches of trenches or parts of villages. A few casual- 
ties occurred, but the routine of work and schedule of relief continued with- 
out interruption. At the same time critiques were held to correct faults that 
developed in orders or in the maneuvering of troops. Late in June part of the 
131st was transferred to the sector held by the Australians south of the 
Somme. On the 2Qth Companies C and E were ordered to proceed to Allon- 
ville, where they were assigned to the Fourth Australian Brigade. They 
were advised that they 
were to take part in an 
offensive, and details 
were made from the 
regiment to bring these 
companies up to full 
strength. The next day 
the first and second bat- 
talions were also or- 
dered to move forward 
and report to the Aus- 
tralians. BIG SHELLS LEFT BY THE GERMANS NEAR ALBERT 




THE 131ST INFANTRY 



219 



This forward movement was evidently for the purpose of taking part in 
an offensive. Subsequently orders not to use any American troops were issued, 
but they came too late to affect Companies C and E, which were already in the 
line, schooled for an attack. Company E, commanded by Captain James W. 
Luke, had been attached to the Forty-third Battalion and Company C, Captain 
Carroll M. Gale commanding, was with the Forty-second BattalioUj Australian 
Expeditionary Forces. 

On June 30 and July i these companies had practiced for the hop-over 
with tanks and had been taught how to follow a barrage. Bombs, Lewis guns, 
and entrenching tools were issued the next day. Then, after a bath in the 
Somme and a hot meal, the two companies, with the battalions to which they 
were attached, marched into position and relieved the Fifty-first Battalion 
in the forward trenches. All during the following day they remained quiet 




BRITISH TANKS ON THE ALBERT-AMIENS ROAD 

in order that the Germans might not discover that the trenches were crowded 
with men. 

Precisely at midnight of July 3 the attacking troops climbed out of the 
trenches and opened Independence Day by crawling to the jumping-off tape, 
which was laid about 400 yards out in No Man's Land and ran diagonal to 
the objective. There they waited for the zero hour. Fifteen combat tanks 
came up under cover of a harassing artillerj^ fire. A few minutes later, at 
3:10 a. m.. the barrage crashed down. 

The barraging artillery consisted of one field gun to every thirty yards 
of the attacking front, supplemented by batteries of 4.5-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, 
9.2 -inch and 12 -inch howitzers, and twenty machine guns. One hundred 
and sixty-one other guns were assigned to counter-battery work, while British 
and French pieces north and south of the sector aided. The barrage, to 
quote from Captain Gale's report, was "marvelously accurate." 

The attacking troops pressed forward rapidly, at times coming too 



220 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



close to the barrage because of the darkness, which had been accentuated 
by smoke shells and the dust. The right of the line, to which Company E 
was attached, met opposition first. It encountered stubborn resistance from 
machine guns. Side by side an Australian and an American charged the guns 
and bayoneted the crews. The line advanced again. After an advance of 
1,000 yards Company C encountered a considerable number of the enemy, 
but most of the Germans surrendered before hand-to-hand fighting was pos- 
sible. 

The barrage played on the town of Hamel for ten minutes. When it 
lifted. Company E, with the Forty-third Australian Battalion, rushed in 
and, with the assistance of the tanks, mopped up the town, taking many 
prisoners and guns. At some dugouts near the western edge of the town 
considerable opposition was met, but a reserve platoon of Americans worked 
around to the flank and quickly overcame the enemy, capturing many and 
shooting those who attempted to escape. 

It was in this fighting that Corporal Thomas A. Pope of Company E 
displayed the extraordinary heroism that won him the Congressional Medal 
of Honor as well as French and British decorations. He rushed a hostile 

machine gun single- 
handed, jumped astride 
the piece, bayoneted sev- 
eral of the crew, and 
with his rifle kept the 
others at bay until rein- 
forcements had come up, 
when all the members of 
the crew were killed or 
captured. 

Many other officers 
and men of the 131st 
displayed gallantry for 
which they subsequently 
were decorated. One of 
these was Lieutenant Al- 
bert G. Jefferson, who, 
though wounded, contin- 
ued fighting until the 
end of the battle. An- 
other was Lieutenant 
George W. Sherwood, 
who displayed great 
courage and ability in 
leading his men. 
A GLIMPSE INTO HAMEL After Hamel had 

The ruins of the church at the left. been captured another 




THE 131ST INFANTRY 



221 



battalion leap-frogged through the line and advanced to the objective, where 
it dug itself in, reversing the German trenches. British airplanes, which 
had been very active in the attack, dropped ammunition and water to the 
men in the captured area by means of parachutes. 

The attack had taken the enemy completely by surprise. The German 
battalion stationed in Hamel had arrived there only an hour or two before 
the attack began, and the men were very tired. They had been deceived, 
too, by the harassing fire of smoke and gas thrown into the town previous 
to the attack. Their gas alarm was sounding as the attacking troops ad- 
vanced, and some of the dead were wearing masks. 

A little before midnight of the 4th, the enemy made a vigorous counter- 
attack on a front of approximately 300 yards. Five Australian and two 
Americans were captured and eighty yards of the front-line trench fell into 
the enemy's hands. 

''But before they had an opportunity to withdraw," said Lieutenant 
Herman H. Weimer in his report of this counterattack, ''the first platoon 
of Company E flanked the right of the enemy attacking party, while an 
Australian platoon flanked its left, and succeeded not only in recapturing 
the five Australians and our men but in addition secured four enemy officers 
and fifty-three enemy soldier prisoners and captured three machine guns." 

The conduct of the Americans elicited the highest official praise. In 
his report of the battle Lieutenant Colonel Farrell, commanding the Forty- 
third Australian Battalion, said: 

"The company of Americans attached (Company E, 131st Infantry) 
did excellent work. Considering it was their first time in action, they fought 
splendidly. Officers and men were most anxious to learn and eager for the 
fight. The platoons were employed in all parts of the battalion formation, 





I* 


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LOOKING EAST TOWARD HAMEL 

In the foreground are graves of the Australians and men of the 131st Infantry. 



222 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



one of them being in the 
first wave." 

Even more valued 
than this official praise 
was the verdict of the 
Australian soldiers be- 
side whom the Ameri- 
cans fought. The men 
of the 131st will forever 
hold as their slogan the 
comment of their com- 
rades in arms in that 
Fourth of July battle: 

''You'll ' do us, 
Yanks, but you're a bit 
rough!" 

This battle, al- 
though only a local af- 
fair, was important be- 
cause it was the first 
repulse of the Germans 
on this front since the 
British retreat which be- 
gan on March 21. The 
operation was of im- 
portance, also, because 
it drove the Germans 
from a position which 
dominated the British 
lines on both sides of the Somme river. The dash and vigor displayed by the 
two companies of the 131st Infantry which participated in the engagement 
gave an indication of what might be expected of the regiment in later and 
more extensive operations, in which the 131st fought its way to every objec- 
tive allotted to it, never losing a foot of ground and always reaching its 
objectives on schedule time. 

After the Hamel attack the regiment continued its training, but the 
several battalions now held sectors in the front line under the command of 
their own majors. While the third battalion, under ^Major Francis M. Allen, 
held the line, an advance on the city of Albert was ordered and was success- 
fully carried out on the night of August 2-3. Patrols from the battalion, 
entering the city of Albert from the north, encountered and drove back small 
parties of the enemy. Upon reaching their objective the advancing troops 
met and repulsed a German patrol consisting of four machine guns and sixty 
rifles. Again, on August 4, a patrol from Company L searched the city for 
snipers, and, after silencing several who had been giving trouble, returned to 




NOTRE DAME DE BREBIERES 

The church at Albert, as the Americans first saw it, with the 

statue of the Virgin still hanging from the top of the steeple. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



223 



their position. In this operation Sergeant James B. Powers earned the Dis- 
tinguished Service Cross by crawUng from house to house and kilHng snipers 
who were hidden in the ruins. 

On August 8 the third battahon had completed its tour of duty in the 
forward trenches and moved back to Pierregot. The first and second bat- 
talions were in the vicinity of Baizieux. The colonel, with the operations 
and intelligence officers, had moved forward to the headquarters of the Fifty- 
eighth British Division at Baizieux, and later in the day the colonel reported 
in person to the headquarters of the Eighteenth British Division at Heilly. 

At 12:10 p. m.. Colonel Sanborn received orders to have the regiment 
ready to move at a moment's notice, and at 4:30 the same afternoon word 
was received from the Third British Corps that the regiment had been placed 
under orders of the Fifty-eighth British Division and was to move forward 
at once to advance positions in corps reserve. 

The first and second battalions were ordered forward and distributed 
in trenches in the valley northeast of Heilly for the night. The third bat- 
talion and headquarters company, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel 
James M. Eddy, began a forced night march from its billets in Pierregot, but 
before it had arrived at its destination the orders had been changed. The 
regiment was directed to move at once to an assembly point on the Bray- 
Corbie road and thence to a point south of the town of Heilly, where it was 
to form up facing east and be ready to attack early in the morning of August 9. 

No provision had been made by the British headquarters for battle 
supplies. The troops had no rations and their water supply was low. More- 
over, the character of the ground over which the attack was to be made and 
the position and strength of the enemy were unknown, while the men were 




THE END OF THE CHURCH AT ALBERT 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



225 



exhausted after an all- 
night march in heavy 
marching order. After 
a conference between 
the general commanding 
the Eighteenth British 
Division and Colonel 
Sanborn, it was decided 
to postpone the proposed 
attack, while the regi- 
ment was moved farther 
forward in the valley be- 
tween Vaux-sur-Somme 
and Sailly-le-Sec, where 
it was ordered under 
cover. 

At I p. m. the next 
day, August 9, Colonel 
Sanborn was advised 
that an attack was to be 

made and was directed to make a reconnaissance in the direction of Gressaire 
Wood. Lieutenant Colonel Eddy, with the battalion commanders and scouts, 
went forward and returned with the information, which was verified by a 
British mounted patrol, that the enemy occupied Malard Wood and sur- 
rounding country, which was considerably closer to the 131st than Gressaire 
Wood and the designated starting line. The regiment was then ordered to 
clear the enemy from this position and drive him back as far as the forming- 
up line before the time set for the main attack to begin. 



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CAPTALN ROBERT J. JORDAN, PERSONNEL ADJUTANT, 
AND HIS STAFF 




THE ROAD FROM SAILLY-LAURETTE TO CHIPILLY 

Showing the entrance to the valley at K32b, where the regiment turned in to form up for the 

attack, at 5 130 p. m. on August 9. 



226 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



At 3:30 p. m. a message was received naming 5 p. m. as the zero hour, 
but it was seen immediately that the regiment could not reach the forming- 
up line in that short time and that it would be impossible to secure and dis- 
tribute maps and issue adequate orders. Upon receipt of this advice the 
division commander changed the zero hour to 5:30. 

The operations officer immediately set the regiment in motion, instruct- 
ing officers to rush their troops forward and establish dumps for their packs 
on the forming-up line, and advising them that they would receive maps as 
they advanced. 

The regimental commander moved forward at the head of the column 
to point the way and personally directed the deploying of the troops along 



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FUKMIAL, UP LINE LOOKING ALONG THL WLbi LlJGh OF MALARD WOOD 

This photograph was taken from regimental headquarters. 

the jumping-off line, the first battalion on the right, the second on the left 
and the third in reserve. The regiment, marching with heavy packs in the 
hot sun, covered four miles in the brief time allotted. British officers later 
expressed their admiration for the feat. 

The British had promised to send tanks and machine guns to the aid 
of the 131st, but, when the zero hour came, neither had arrived, and the 
second battalion was even without Lewis guns. The men, nevertheless, 
started off behind the barrage with smiles on their faces, determined to ham- 
mer their way to the objective. 

Throughout the night they fought like demons. Stiff opposition was 
encountered as the regiment advanced, but it was quickly overcome. When- 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



227 




CONTINUATION OF MALARD WOOD VALLEY 

The forming-up line of the second battalion extended around the bend, and the attack was made 
through the woods and over the hill towards the right. 

ever snipers or machine gunners held up the advance, some intrepid soldier 
dashed out and silenced the enemy with his bayonet. 

After a heavy bombardment on Chipilly a British patrol reported that 
it had been through and around the town, and that no enemy troops were lo- 
cated there. A considerable force of machine guns, however, either had been 
overlooked or had successfully concealed themselves, for almost at the be- 
ginning of the attack the loth Londons were held up by fire from Chipilly 
cemetery and the quarry below, so that the right of the line (the first bat- 











-' .■ ■ •■-■'"■ 



LOOKING EAST INTO MALARD WOOD VALLEY 
From the north edge of Malard Wood, at the position of the third battalion during the first 

days of fighting. 



228 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




ON CHIPILLY RIDGE 

A German machine gun position, taken by the first battahon. 



talion) was unable to 
advance until Company 
K of the 131st Infantry 
cleaned out this nest and 
took 300 prisoners. 

It was in this ad- 
vance that Corporal 
Jake Allex earned the 
Congressional Medal of 
Honor. All the officers 
of his platoon had been 
wounded, and he was in 
command. When his 
men were stopped by 
fire from a machine gun 
nest Corporal Allex 



rushed the enemy position single-handed. With his bayonet he killed five of 
the Germans. When his bayonet broke in the body of the fifth victim, he 
seized his rifle by the barrel and clubbed to death those of the machine gun 
crew who refused to surrender. 

Private F, F. Kostak rushed two machine gun positions, capturing both 
guns and seven prisoners. Corporal Paul Hobschied used his knowledge 
of German to good advantage by shouting German phrases as he advanced, 
unsuspected, on sniper posts. He killed or captured several snipers in that 
way. From one dugout he marched thirty prisoners. In another he killed 
two and captured four. Second Lieutenant George W. Sherwood rushed two 
machine gun positions, capturing three guns and ten prisoners. Corporal 
Stephen INIance captured a machine gun after a single-handed fight with four 




LOOKING WEST FROM CHIPILLY RIDGE ALONG THE SOMME 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



229 



Germans whom he wounded or made prisoners. Sergeant G. D. Gourley, who 
had taken command of his platoon after the wounding of his officer, rushed a 
machine gun without support and killed the four Germans in the crew. Later 
he used the captured gun against the enemy with good effect. Private Harry 
Stokes captured three German officers and killed a fourth who resisted capture. 
Such instances of individual courage illustrate the splendid spirit with 
which the 131st fought its way through the night toward the objective as- 
signed to it. At one time it was necessary to send the greater part of the 
third battalion into the fighting line at a point where machine gun resistance 
was especially stubborn, but by 6 a. m. of the loth the regiment was able 
to report to the commanding general of the Fifty-eighth British Division 




THE VIEW FROM REGIMENTAL P. C. 
Looking northeast toward Malard Wood Valley along the right of the forming-up line of the 

first battalion. 



that the objective had been reached. In the operation, also, the 131st had 
taken three officers and six hundred and ninety-seven men, together with 
thirty-two cannon, one airplane, one hundred machine guns, numerous rifles 
and quantities of ammunition, equipment and material of all kinds. 

Throughout the night officers and men had worked with almost super- 
human energy to secure and forward small arms ammunition, entrenching 
tools and water to those who were in the fighting line and to care for and 
remove the wounded. 

After they had gained the objective the troops were subjected to a 
terrific bombardment with shells, gas and aerial bombs, but, despite the fact 
that they were completely worn out by the heavy fighting and the long march 



230 



ILLINOr-S IN THE WORLD WAR 




ON THE BRAY-CORBIE ROAD 

Position held by Captain Wilson's platoon as 

outpost on the morning of August lo. 



that had preceded it, they held 
tenaciously to the ground they had 
gained. A slight respite for the 
greater part of the regiment came 
on the night of August 11-12, when 
Australian troops, with part of the 
131st, passed through the lines and 
proceeded systematically and thor- 
oughly to mop up the town of Etine- 
ham and a pocket formed by the 
Somme River which had caused 
some trouble. On the 14th, the 
regiment made a further advance 
and occupied a new line from the 
town of Bray along the southern 
ridge overlooking the Somme to the 
bend in the river south of Etineham. 
The new line was organized and held 
under heavy shell fire, with occa- 



sional outpost encounters, until the night of August 19-20, when the regi- 
ment was relieved. 

In this engagement, which is known as the battle of Gressaire Wood 
and Chipilly Ridge, the men of the 131st Regiment were under a tremendous 
handicap. They were thrown suddenly into a heavy engagement without 
adequate preparations and were pitted against some of the most seasoned of 
the German troops. Under such adverse conditions, the 131st conducted 
itself in a manner that reflected great credit upon the enlisted personnel and 
officers of the regiment. The troops were steady and cool at all times. 




^■wi./ ^- %^'"*?*'»^':^i. ^-^ 



V^ 




TRENCHES ALONG THE BRAY-CORBIE ROAD HELD BY THE 131ST INFANTRY ON 

THE MORNING OF AUGUST 10. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



231 



The British staff 
officers manifested more 
anxiety regarding the 
success of the attack 
than did the officers of 
the 131st. On the first 
day of the battle, per- 
sistent reports were re- 
ceived at the British 
headquarters to the ef- 
fect that German troops 
were advancing. These 
reports kept the staff 
officers greatly agitated, 
especially as they re- 
ceived no word for some 
time regarding the prog- 
ress of the attack, as 
Colonel Sanborn had 
gone forward with the 
attacking troops. The 
British officers were 
told, however, that so 
long as only wounded 
men and prisoners were 
coming back, they need 
have no fear as to the 
outcome of the opera- 
tion. Subsequently messages were received from the front line, showing that 
the attack was being carried through successfully. One of these messages 
— from Captain Wilson of Company A — reported that the enemy was mov- 
ing to counterattack along the Bray-Corbie Road, and asked that 2,000 
rounds of small arms ammunition be sent forward, if possible. An account 
of this counterattack contained in the report for the day shows the steadiness 
and coolness of the troops in the thick of the fighting. This report says: 

"At 3 p. m. a group of Germans came down the road from Bray with 
heavy machine guns. Our fire was held until the enemy arrived within 500 
yards, when all were shot down. Later the enemy brought up four machine 
guns under cover of the standing crops, but were stopped by our Lewis gun 
fire. Still later these guns opened intermittently until outflanked by a platoon 
under Lieutenant Porter." 

For the part he played in this battle. Colonel Sanborn was given the 
Distinguished Service Order by the British and the Distinguished Service 
Cross by his own government. 

The importance of the regiment's achievement in this engagement can 




THE BRAY CRUCIFIX, A FAMOUS LANDMARK 



232 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



hardly be overestimated. 
General Ludendorf, in 
the book he wrote after 
the war, said the Ger- 
mans' hope of victory- 
was crushed by the 
Allies' success in the 
offensive near Albert and 
north of Montdidier, 
starting August 8. A 
week after the attack, 
the German general told 
his associates that the 
war could no longer be 
won militarily. 

If the Somme offen- 
sive was the decisive 
campaign in the final 
stage of the war, the i3ist's victory at Gressaire Wood was a decisive stroke 
in the Somme offensive. The regiment was thrown into action at a critical 
time after the British troops north of the river, according to official British 
reports, had found it impossible to maintain a footing on Chipilly Spur. 

In a special cable dispatch to the Chicago Daily News, Edward Price 
Bell explained the nature and significance of the regiment's victory. Fol- 
lowing is an extract from this dispatch: 

'T heard of them (the 131st Infantry) first on the north bank of the 
Somme in the village of Chipilly. South of the river, a short distance east 




FRONT VIEW OF A GERMAN "77" POSITION IN GRES- 
SAIRE WOOD 




$^K-vV- '<. 7 #,'./- .-.^ 




A GERMAN AMMUNITION DUMP IN GRESSAIRE WOOD 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



233 




of Chipilly, the Austral- 
ians were advancing 
across open ground 
against a wood where 
the Germans were mak- 
ing a stubborn stand. 
Suddenly German artil- 
lery on a steep spur 
above Chipilly opened 
fire across the river on 
the rear of the advanc- 
ing Australians. This 
development had become 
possible because the 
British supporting the 
Australians north of the Somme had been counterattacked and driven back 
and could not clear the Chipilly Spur. 

"How the Americans (131st Infantry) happened to be in Chipilly I 
do not know, but they were there and observed what was befalling their 
Austrahan comrades south of the Somme. Their job, as they saw it, was 
to take that spur — and they took it. One viewing its almost precipitous 
sides in the neighborhood of the river is unable to see how the feat was 
achieved. The 131st not only gained the summit, stormed and silenced the 



REAR VIEW OF GERMAN "77" POSITION SHOWN ON 
OPPOSITE PAGE 




IN THE HEART OF GRESSAIRE WOOD 

Showing the dense underbrush which had swarmed with snipers and machine gunners; at sunset 

after the battle. 



234 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



enemy guns, but pursued 
the enemy into the adja- 
cent wood, poked him 
out of it and pressed 
forward north of the 
Somme until abreast of 
the advancing Austral- 
ians south of the river. 
''Here the Ameri- 
cans established a line 
and subsequently fought 
on with the Australians 
on their right and the 
British on their left until 
Bray fell. In an ex- 
tended battle it some- 
times happens that a 
small force at just the 
right point and just the 
right moment may ren- 
der an invaluable serv- 
ice. Any Australian who was on the Somme on that day will tell you that 
the Americans were such a force and rendered such a service." 

The British were quick to acknowledge their debt to the 131st. On 
August 10 the commander of the Third British Corps telegraphed to the 
commander of the Thirty-third Division: 

"Hearty congratulations on successful attack carried out by the 131st 
Infantry Regiment yesterday." 




ON THE RIVER ROAD BETWEEN CHIPILLY AND 
ETINEHAM 

Showing first battalion post of command and aid station. 





A STREET SCENE IN ETINEHAM 



THE 131ST INPANTRY 



23s 




On the same day, General 
Frank Ramsey, commanding the 
Fifty-eighth British Division, 
wrote to General Bell: 

"I wish to express to you 
my appreciation of the great 
assistance afforded my division 
by your 131st Regiment in the 
attack on Gressaire Wood yes- 
terday afternoon and my admi- 
ration for the way in which it 
carried out a very difficult ma- 
neuver to get into the battle line 
and for the stout way in which 
it overcame all resistance. I 

enclose a letter of thanks which I would be glad if you would forward to the 
officer commanding the regiment." 

These messages and reports indicate clearly the valuable service which 
the 131st Infantry rendered to the British armies in the first battle of the 
Somme offensive. The advance made by this regiment, August 9-20, from 
Malard Wood to Bray, broke the German resistance and paved the way 
for a drive which helped materially to bring about the complete defeat of the 
German armies. 

The attack on Gressaire Wood and Chipilly Ridge brought to an end 
the service of the 131st with the British and Australian forces. The regi- 
ment was relieved on the night of August 19-20 by the Fourth Australian 
Corps and proceeded by easy stages to Poulainville. On this march the men 



THE CHATEAU AT ETINEHAM 

Used as headquarters by Company A 




THE ENTRANCE TO BRAY 

The cart was driven by a German prisoner. 



236 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




A CHAUCHAT IN ACTION 



passed through Hamel 
and saw for the last time 
the ground over which 
they had fought so hard 
and for the possession of 
which so many of their 
comrades had laid down 
their lives. 

On the night of Au- 
gust 23-24 the regiment 
marched to the St. 
Roche railroad station 
in Amiens and entrained 
for the American sector 
in the vicinity of Verdun, 
passing through the out- 
skirts of Paris, through 
the battered town of 
Chateau Thierry, and 
through Epernay, famous for its champagne. The railroad through this 
area had just been repaired and reopened for traffic. 

Until September 6 the regiment was stationed in and near Salmagne, 
refitting itself and preparing for further action. This was a difficult under- 
taking, in many ways, for the regiment had used the Enfield rifle and the 
Lewis automatic rifle while on the British front. It now became necessary 
for the men to learn to use the 191 7 Model Springfield rifle, the French 
Chauchat automatic, and the French hand and rifle grenades. Moreover, 
they had to learn to interpret French orders, maps and signals, all quite 
different from those of 
the British. 

The training was 
vigorous, however, and 
by September 6 the regi- 
ment had mastered the 
new weapons and meth- 
ods in addition to cor- 
recting tactical faults 
revealed in previous bat- 
tles. On that day it 
marched to Tronville 
and then was carried in 
trucks to Baleycourt and 
vicinity, a few miles 
from Verdun. On the 

9th it moved forward to A CAMOUFLAGED ROAD NEAR FORGES 




THE 131ST INFANTRY 



237 



take over the Fromereville sector, relieving the Sixty-eighth French Infantry 
and becoming the "regiment in reserve" for the Dead INIan's Hill (Mort 
Homme) sub-sector. 

While battle training was continued, it was obvious that an offensive 
was impending. At night guns of all calibers, some pulled by steam tractors, 
rumbled forward. Motor lorries carried a constant stream of Americans 
into the area, and all slowly crawled forward to the jumping-off point for 
the big drive that was to come. 

On the night of September 22-23 the second battalion of the 131st, fully 
equipped for attack, took over part of the Jacque strong-point on Dead 
Man's Hill and proceeded to reconnoiter and patrol No Man's Land. Two 




IN FORGES SWAMP 

Where the 131st advanced from Dead Man's Hill to take up its position for the attack on the 

morning of September 26. 

nights later the third battalion followed, with attached machine gun units 
and gas companies. 

The men were crowded so closely in the trenches that they could not 
rest. Repose would have been difficult in any case, for huge rats and other 
trench pests were numerous and bold. They thrived in this sector — a charnel 
house where more than a million men had lost their lives in the struggle for 
possession of Verdun. Every turn of the spade uncovered skeletons. From 
the walls of the trenches jutted the bones of heroic Frenchmen, who had 
died on the hill to make good their pledge to France: 

"On ne passera pas!" 

The morning of September 26 brought the expected attack. During 
the night scouts had cut innumerable paths through the tangle of wire which 
guarded the approach to Dead Man's Hill and had stretched white tape 
through the maze to guide the attacking troops. Soon after midnight a 



238 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




LEFT END OF THE i3tst's FORMING-UP LINE 

Near the wreck of a German bridge in Forges Swamp. 



harassing fire of artillery 
was directed over the 
German area. Just be- 
fore dawn the troops, 
carrying, in addition to 
their fighting equipment, 
planks, fascines and 
duck boards, began to 
file out of the trenches 
and pass through the 
maze of wire down the 
slope of the hill to the 
great swamp at its foot. 
The engineers threw 
two narrow footbridges 
across the swamp, which was 300 yards or more in width and filled with 
deep, treacherous shell craters. Most of the men crossed on these bridges 
but many waded through the swamp waist deep in water. 

While making the crossing a portion of the second battalion was caught 
by the barrage, nine casualties resulting. Except for this mishap the swamp 
was crossed without loss and the men formed up along the Bethincourt- 
Forges road. 

No words can describe the inferno that was let loose over the heads 
of the waiting troops at 5:30 a. m., September 26, signalling the start of 
the offensive. The day was just breaking and the sky was obscured by a 
heavy fog which hung over the valley of the Meuse. Suddenly a roar like 
the rending of the earth beat upon the ear. The tremendous booming of 
big guns furnished a background for the ra-tat-tat of machine guns, the 
intermittent firing of small arms, the crack of grenades, the whistle of bullets 
and the whining shriek of shell fragments. Above this din the shouts of 
men at times could be distinguished. There was every conceivable noise. 

The white and black 
bursts of shrapnel could 
be seen for miles along 
the edge of the fog bank, 
which was intensified by 
smoke shells. Thermite 
shells threw their awful 
flares of flame in all di- 
rections. Here and there 
the ground heaved up- 
ward in geysers of earth 
as the "heavies" ex- 
ploded. Behind this and , „ , , '*^7!™"1T T^"- "'"f . 

"^ . . On the road bevond, the right of the 131st formed up on the 

sometimes m the midst ' morning of September 26. 




THE 131ST INFANTRY 



239 



of it the olive-drab line slowly advanced, forcing the enemy back over the 
ground he had held for almost four years of war. 

The third battalion, under Major Allen, was on the left, and the second, 
under Major Hamlet C. Ridgway, was on the right. The first battalion, 
commanded by Captain Carroll M. Gale, followed in support at 500 j^ards. 
Company B of the 124th Machine Gun Battalion had been assigned to the 
third battalion. The machine gun company of the 131st was with the second 
battalion, and Company C of the 124th Machine Gun Battalion with the 
first battalion. Company D of the io8th Engineers, after constructing the 
necessary bridges over Forges Swamp and Creek, advanced and fought with 
the infantry. Three sections of Company A, First Gas Regiment, threw a 
smoke and thermite barrage beyond the forming-up line and then followed 




AMERICAN CEMETERY AT THE SOUTH END OF FORGES WOOD 
Where some of the 131st Infantry dead were buried. 



the advancing troops as rapidly as their heavy equipment would permit 
The barrage of the 212th French Field Artillery, which was assigned to 
the 131st front, was perfect in time and alignment. 

The second battalion, on the right, moved forward steadily, maintain- 
ing contact throughout the engagement with the 132nd Infantry on its 
right, and stopping only long enough to mop up the enemy's strong-point 
and machine gun positions, nearly all of which had been revealed previously 
by thorough observation and airplane reconnaissance. 

The third battalion, on the left, was advancing at the same time but 
encountered more difficulties. Before forming up his battalion. Major Allen 
had sought in vain for the 319th Infantry, which was to support his left, and 
after having advanced for some distance, he was compelled to protect his 
own flank. Major Allen later reported that he had discovered a platoon 



240 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



of Company G of the 
319th in his rear and had 
placed it with his sup- 
porting troops. Contact 
with the 319th Infantry 
was not established until 
after the objective had 
been reached. 

The first battalion, 
advancing through the 
fog and smoke, found it- 
self continually running 
into the attacking wave. 
When the third battalion 
was held up by the fail- 
ure of the 319th Infan- 
try to advance, the first 
battalion passed through 
the line of the third, the latter advancing on the left as flank protection. 
This movement brought all three battalions into the attacking line. 

In the first magnificent rush the regiment carried the Cervaux, Besage, 
Billemont and Lenimo and Berny systems of trenches, which were part of 
the German "impregnable" Hagen Stellung facing Verdun. After mopping 
up these trenches, the troops passed on, taking the towns of Drillancourt 
and Gercourt. Then, after sweeping through the entire length of trenches 




A GERMAN BATTERY AT GERCOURT 

This 77-mm. gun was reversed and used against its late owners. 




THE CHURCH AT GERCOURT 

From the tower German snipers picked off men in the advance of the 131st. The barbed wire 
cage in the foreground was used by the Germans for French prisoners. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 




Serny -Trench (Aer\o»2f 

Billemowt /--Trench 



Sis*-- 



forges 



^*M^y- 



.'^"^•V/tre-* 



■^/guur- 



*^^' 






'- ' Cervaux : 



^,:%^ 



TKencl^ 




rHiNcouRT 



FOginUlg^ UP LIX E t3 f ST, I NFANTRY 
'■'"'^^^ S€pt26 I9i8 . / "^ 
FQRGCS SV^AMP 






THE ADVANCE OF THE 131ST INFANTRY 
An aerial photograph showing the terrain over which the regiment advanced on the morning of 

September 26. 



242 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




in the Jure Wood, they pushed 
on to the objective on the west 
bank of the Meuse River. The 
first battahon reached the bank 
of the river at io:io a. m., and 
the other battahons followed a 
little later, all of them having 
advanced a distance of seven 
miles. 

The final dash to the river 
was described by Major Allen 
in his official report of the oper- 
ation as follows: 

"While going up Hill 227 
the sun broke out of the fog. As I reached the top loud cheers were heard 
and a remarkable scene greeted us. Everywhere could be seen our advanc- 
ing troops, following the fleeing Germans, and scattered here and there were 
groups of prisoners under guard. The moppers-up could be seen doing their 
work, and doing it well." 

Major General Wolf, commanding the Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade, in 
his report on this operation, says: 

"The 131st Infantry had to attack independently of any support except 
its own reserves through the fortified remains of two towns and along the 



A GERMAN MERCEDES AMBULANCE CAP- 
TURED AT GERCOURT 




GERMAN ELECTRIC POWER PLANT AT GERCOURT 

German, Belgian, French and English machinery was used in building this plant. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



243 




THE FIRST DAY OF THE MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE 



244 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



edge of the celebrated Jure Wood. The division on their left having been 
held up, they still proceeded and attained their objective according to 
schedule without wavering and with faithful obedience to their orders." 

Despite the extent of the gain and the difficulties involved in it, the 
131st suffered only 181 casualties in reaching its objective. To offset this 
loss it not only had attained its goal but had captured 650 prisoners, 16 
cannon, 52 machine guns, a complete railroad with cars and equipment intact, 
a fully equipped field hospital with a motor ambulance, an ammunition 
depot with 130,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, great quantities of 









THE MEUSE RIVER AT CONSENVOYE 
Showing one of the bridges built by the loSth Engineers. 

shells, grenades and signals, and a supply depot with enormous reserves of 
railroad supplies, building material and tools. 

The battle had its comic aspects, too, despite the awfulness of the set- 
ting and the difficulties of the advance. One squad of 131st men dashed into 
a great concrete dugout, and were almost as much surprised as their victims 
to find a German colonel and his staff with the table set for dinner. Captain 
Louis Preston of Company B enjoyed the dinner later. 

Another soldier, pressing forward in the thick of the fight, his bayonet 
ready and his mind intent on the enemy, suddenly saw a rabbit dash across 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



'AS 



the field, bewildered by the noise. Forgetting Germans, the soldier chased 
the rabbit. He caught it, fastened it to his belt and resumed his man hunt. 

The 1.31st, after reaching its objective, dug in in plain sight of the Ger- 
mans who were entrenched on the Haramount Heights across the river. That 
night, however, these trenches were abandoned and a new line dug 200 yards 
to the rear behind a small rise. The Germans apparently never discovered 
this withdrawal for they kept up a continuous fire on the empty trenches. 

During the day, following the successful advance to the river, the 131st 
had found it necessary, because of the fact that the troops on the left had 



'( s 





'■^ 



THE MEUSE RIVER AT CONSENVOYE 

In the background are visible the buildings of the town. 

failed to reach their objective, to prepare a strong defense against possible 
counterattacks. The entire trench mortar section and one company of ma- 
chine guns were trained on the Jure Wood and to the left of the 131st. In 
addition fourteen captured machine guns were placed on a high ridge at 
regimental headquarters, pointing toward the ground over which the troops 
on the left were still fighting. During the next few days, however, the Amer- 
ican line on the left gradually advanced, and after the capture of Montfaucon 
the position of the 131st was secure. 

There now commenced a period of patrolling and preparation for a 



246 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



further advance. One patrol, under Lieutenant Raymond F. Fiedler, crossed 
the Meuse River on September 28. The stream at this point was 100 feet 
in width and 10 feet deep. The men crossed on the slippery top of a con- 
crete dam, and, after reaching the east bank of the river, penetrated into 
enemy territory. There they encountered a German patrol of one officer 
and seven men who, not dreaming that Americans could have crossed the 
river, proclaimed themselves "Deutsche kameraden." Lieutenant Fiedler 
and his men surrounded them and in the melee that followed six Germans 
were wounded. The other two escaped. One of the wounded men was 
taken back to headquarters for identification, and much valuable informa- 
tion was secured from him. 




CONCRETE WALLS FIVE FEET THICK 
German headquarters taken by the 131st on September 26, and used until October 9 as 

regimental headquarters. 



On the night of October 3-4 the regiment was ordered to extend its 
lines to include the front held by the 132nd Infantry, which, upon being 
relieved, proceeded to Malancourt as a reserve force to the fighting in that 
vicinity. The front then held by the 131st was five miles long. 

The regiment remained on this line until the night of October 7-8, when 
two battalions of the 132nd Infantry returned to Forges Wood and began 
making preparations to cross the Meuse and to attack the enemy's positions 
on the west bank of the river. The second battalion of the 131st, commanded 
by Major Ridgway, was ordered to report to Colonel Abel Davis, command- 
ing the 132nd, to replace the battalion of the latter regiment which at that 
time was fighting with the Fourth Division. Anticipating the probable em- 
ployment of other battalions of the 131st in the coming attack, comprehen- 
sive field orders covering all possible phases of the battle were issued by 
regimental headquarters on October 8. All officers were warned to study 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



247 




these orders and their 
maps and to be prepared 
for movement at a mo- 
ment's notice. Later 
events showed the value 
of these precautions. 

The 132nd crossed 
the river on the morning 
of the 8th and advanced 
northward. Major Ridg- 
way's battahon was or- 
dered to cross and to join 
the attack as soon as the 
132nd had proceeded be- GERMAN DUGOUT SOUTH OF CONSENVOYE 

yond a footbridge which Used as 131st headquarters from October 9 to 15. 

the engineers were building south of Consenvoye. The bridge was completed 
between three and four o'clock in the afternoon and the battalion made the 
crossing successfully under heavy artillery fire. 

The 132nd Infantry advanced and gained its objective north of the 
Bois de Chaume, but, owing to the failure of the troops on their right to ad- 
vance, and a heavy counterattack, the regiment retired to the southern edge 
of the wood. Without any support from the Twenty-ninth Division on its 
right, the 132nd was in a precarious position. 

On the afternoon of October 9 the two remaining battalions of the 131st 
were ordered to assemble and concentrate in Forges Wood close to the west 
bank of the river. Late in the afternoon they were ordered to cross to the east 
bank and hold themselves in readiness for action. That night at a conference 
called by General Wolf, the brigade commander, the latter, with officers of his 
staff and commanders of the brigade units, went fully into the situation, which 
was stated to be desperate. At midnight Colonel Sanborn and Captain George 

N. Malstrom, his opera- 
tions officer, with a few 
scouts and intelligence 
men, left the conference 
and crossed the Meuse 
River with orders hur- 
riedly drawn, to form the 
regiment on a line south 
of Bois de Chaume and 
attack at 6:05 a. m. in a 
northerly direction 
through the Bois de 
Chaume and the Bois du 

ADVANCED HEADQUARTERS OF MAJOR ALLEN IN ^}^^ Chene leap- rog- 
DEATH VALLEY SOUTH OF THE BOIS DE CHAUME gmg through the I32ncl 




248 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




MAJOR EDWARD BITTEL 

Commander of the third battalion of the 130th 
Infantry, which was attached to the 131st during 
the operations in the Bois de Chaume. 



Infantry. The time before the 
zero hour was short, and there was 
no opportunity to give detailed or- 
ders for the attack. Instructions 
had been sent ahead to all officers 
to assemble in a German dugout 
which was to be used as regimen- 
tal headquarters. There they re- 
ceived brief verbal instructions 
stating the general direction and 
limits of attack with information 
relative to the artillery barrage. 
Only three maps could be secured 
and one of these was given to each 
major commanding. 

At T a. m. the officers began 
to collect their troops and start 
forward. It was an exceedingly 
dark night and the troops were 
compelled to march nearly three 
miles to the forming-up line 
through a country with which they 
were not familiar and about which 



little was known. Major Allen, who had been placed in command, reported that 
all the troops were ready for the attack at 6 a. m., five minutes before the zero 
hour. The first battalion, under Major J. H. Coady, was on the right, with the 
third battalion, under Major Allen, on the left. The third battalion, 129th 
Infantry, commanded by Major W. F. Hemenway and the third battalion, 
130th Infantry, under INIajor Edward F. Bittel, having been assigned to replace 
the second battalion of the 131st, which was with the 132nd Infantry, followed 
the attacking wave at 500 yards. 

The barrage, which was light and not very effective, fell at 6:05 a. m. 
The regiment advanced, leap-frogging the 132nd, as ordered. The troops 
immediately entered the woods and found them very difficult to penetrate 
as they were extremely hilly and thick with underbrush. Innumerable ma- 
chine gun nests, many of which occupied well chosen positions in trees, 
poured a deadly fire upon the narrow lanes and clearings in the woods. In 
the face of this bitter resistance the troops worked forward in small detach- 
ments in single file. The third battalion, on the left, advanced more rapidly 
than the first battalion, which encountered severe opposition, especially from 
machine guns on their right flank. Companies B and C, in the second wave, 
became somewhat disorganized until two companies of the third battalion, 
129th Infantry, which was in support, came to their aid. The other two com- 
panies of the battalion passed through them and continued on to the objective, 
where they dug in on the right of Companies A and D of the 131st. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



249 




OBSERVATION TOWER AND COR- 
DUROY ROAD LEADING TO IT 



Owing to the continued failure of the 
Twenty-ninth Division to advance, the right 
flank was left open, and enemy machine 
guns were continually filtering in to the 
right and rear of the advancing troops. 
These machine guns, together with a heavy 
enemy barrage, caught portions of the third 
battalion of the 130th Infantry, which were 
following behind the supporting troops, and 
for some time badly disorganized them. 
Major Bittel, however, rallied his men and, 
after reorganizing them, continued to ad- 
vance as a protection against the exposed 
right flank. 

The third battalion, on the left, pro- 
gressed with less resistance, but when it was 
near the north end of the Bois de Chaume 
seven enemy airplanes, flying very low, raked 
the line with machine gun fire. Planes also 
dropped a number of bombs, causing some 
casualties. The enemy also placed an in- 
tense counter-barrage of high explosive and gas shells on the north edge 
of the wood and on the valley beyond. The troops advanced through this 
barrage and dug in on the slope beyond at 10:30 a. m., taking a position 
alongside the first battalion, which had reached its objective at 10 a. m. 

The troops then lay on a line facing north, with the third battalion on 
the left, the first battalion in the center, and the third battalion of the 129th 
Infantry on the right. The latter battalion had suffered severely during the 

advance, but its thin ranks were 
filled up by men sent forward from 
the first battalion of the same regi- 
ment. The battalion then moved to 
face east to guard the exposed flank 
and held this position until it was 
relieved. Enemy airplanes con- 
tinued to harass the troops without 
any opposition, flying very close to 
the ground, unloading their bombs 
and playing their machine guns on 
the unprotected men. 

Some interesting sidelights on 
the advance of the third battalion 
along the west edge of the Bois de 
Chaume and over the open ground 
ANOTHER NEST IN THE BOIS DE CHAUME between the woods and the bank of 





250 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



the Meuse are given by reports of officers of the battaHon. The report of 
the commanding officer of Company M, which advanced along the west edge 
of the wood, says: 

''The first and third platoons, moving slightly to the right, traversed the 
woods until they reached the top of the ridge at the far edge. Small parties 
of the enemy had been encountered and from the ridge could be seen large 
numbers scurrying in a homegoing direction. Here forty prisoners were taken 




DUGOUTS IN THE BOIS DE CHAUME 
Three entrances in a row. This photograph gives an excellent idea of the terrain over which 

the advance took place. 



in a single group. It fell to our happy lot while in the woods to rescue a num- 
ber of the 132nd Infantry who had been wounded the day before." 

Lieutenant E. W. Kuehne, in command of a platoon of Company K to 
which was assigned the task of mopping up the open ground between the east 
bank of the Meuse and the woods, says in his report: 

"The battalion had gone to the edge of the Bois de Chaume, when my 
company commander ordered me to take the platoon and mop up the area 
between the Meuse River and Bois de Chaume. We combed the territory 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



251 



thoroughly and at the same time advanced towards the objective. I reached 
Tranche de I'Hopital, where I met Captain Stockwell. He had just placed two 
squads with "Chauchats" at the junction of the road with the trench. A 
personal reconnaissance seemed the proper thing, so my runner and I climbed 
to the crest of the hill. I took a look around and everything seemed quiet, 
except for the rumpus in the woods over to our right where the first battalion 
was fighting. Suddenly Jerry decided to cut short our investigation and let 
loose. It has since occurred to me that he rather overdid the thing because 
I'm sure that no two men in the A. E. F. were important enough to draw all 

that shell fire, let alone machine gun fire from two directions 

"The runner and 1 dropped into a shallow trench and let Jerry have the 
place to himself, but he began to come uncomfortably close with his whizz 




MACHINE GUN POSITION BEYOND THK BOIS DK CHAUME 

bangs. So we up and ran back and dropped over the edge of a terrace which 
formed the upper lip of the little valley. In this valley was the German hos- 
pital which gave the trench its name and there were several dugouts. Some 
men of the 132nd, who had been there since the 9th and were separated from 
the rest of their regiment when it withdrew, were moving about and some 
were sleeping in shell holes. The Germans had a big "sausage" up directly 
ahead of us and the observer, of course, could see most of the valley. My 
runner had just gone to one of the dugouts on my order when the shells began 
dropping in the valley, causing awful havoc among the wounded of 132nd 

Infantry men who had been abandoned and were rescued by 

Company M, 131st Infantry. Things gradually quieted down to normal. 
Some rations of bread and sugar were salvaged. Two of my men were sent 



252 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




with a message, I set 
four or five to work as 
stretcher bearers for the 
wounded survivors of 
the 132nd Infantry, and 
cigarettes were cadged 
back and forth." 

Throughout the day 
of the attack and for 
several days following, 
the whole forward area 
occupied by the 131st 
was subjected to the 
most intense artillery 
barrage. The woods and 
valleys were continual- 
ly filled with gas. Heavy 
machine gun and direct 
artillery fire played on 
the troops from the ex- 
posed right flank, and, 
owing to the failure of 
the Twenty-ninth Divi- 
sion to advance its lines, 
the 131st found it neces- 
sary to bend its line 
back on the right to 
meet the left of the 
Twenty-ninth Division, 
which was still about a 
mile and a half in the rear of the 131st right flank. As the troops were contin- 
ually exposed to a terrific hail of shells and to heavy gas, this operation was a 
difficult one but it was accomplished successfully. A new line of resistance 
was established on the night of October 12, and on the following night all 
troops were entrenched in that position, with the 131st line connecting with the 
Twenty-ninth Division on the right. 

Throughout this battle the 131st had faced the most severe artillery fire 
that it had yet encountered. The line was thinly held and exposed on the 
right flank. It was difficult to get supplies forward, and every man was worn 
out by loss of sleep and the grueling fighting in which he had been engaged 
continuously night and day from the beginning of the Meuse-Argonne drive 
on September 26. Continued cold and wet weather had added to the dis- 
comforts of the men. In spite of it all, however, the troops fought with a 
dogged determination and held all the ground that they had gained. 

There were many individual cases of extraordinary bravery which give 



THE CHURCH AT SIVRY-SUR-MEUSE 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



253 



some indication of the grit and fighting spirit displayed by the regiment dur- 
ing this operation. There is, for example, the case of a wounded officer of 
Company B who was saved from certain death by a private of the company 
after two other men had been killed and one wounded while attempting to 
rescue him. Company B, after reaching its objective, was on a highly ex- 
posed ridge. The wounded officer lay on the crest in an area over which 
the enemy's machine guns poured a steady and accurate fire. Private Wil- 
lard Petty was the first to make an attempt to reach the officer. He was 
killed before he could reach the crest. Private Percy Jones next volunteered 
to make the attempt and he also lost his hfe in the effort. Undismayed by 
the fate of his two comrades, Private Walter Carroll started forward only to 
fall severely wounded. Then, when it seemed impossible to make the rescue, 
Private C. D. Economas dashed across the exposed area and by some miracle 
returned unscathed with the officer. 

Lieutenant Harding F. Horton of Company C, who was shot through 
the leg, continued on to the objective. He was wounded again but refused to 
go to the rear and was killed at last when moving among his men on the ridge 
that had just been taken. 

Sergeant R. R. Cook of Company A went out alone beyond the lines and 
penetrated the enemy's position. He located and killed a number of enemy 
snipers but finally was himself cor- 
nered. He threw an asphyxiating 
bomb at the Germans who sur- 
rounded him, and behind the smoke 
screen thus formed made his escape 
during the confusion that followed 
the explosion of the bomb. 

These were incidents of the 
fighting of October 10, but there 
were others of equal interest in con- 
nection with the operations of the 
second battalion which was attached 
to the 132nd Infantry during its 
operations on the day before. 

It was during this action on the 
afternoon of October 9 that the 
enemy took his first prisoners from 
the 131st. Up to this time the regi- 
ment, although heavily engaged 
against the enemy in three previous 
battles in which it had captured 
many prisoners and much booty, 
had not lost a man as a prisoner. In 
the case of the men taken in the 
Bois de Chaume operation the cir- interior of THE CHURCH AT SIVRY 




254 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS IN SOUILLY WOODS 
A staging point on the march to the Troyon sector, during the last days of October, igii 



cumstances were such that no discredit could attach to the men who were 
captured or to the regiment to which they belonged. The prisoners taken 
were Corporal A. O. Torset and fourteen other survivors of a platoon from 
Company G. The story of the determined stand made by this heroic little 
band, before the men found it useless to resist longer the attacks of over- 
whelming forces of the enemy, is best told by Corporal Torset himself in his 

report of the affair, as follows: 

"The first platoon of Company 
G, 131st Infantry, to which I was 
attached, commanded by Lieutenant 
Cruse, advanced through Bois de 
Chaume (having no connection on 
our right or left). Outside the wood 
we met Major Paul Gale of the 
■132nd Infantry who ordered us to 
go to the support of Company C 
('132nd Infantry) who were being 
flanked by the Germans. 

"We moved forward to their 
right flank on a high ridge. We had 
hardly dug in when the Germans 
counterattacked, but were beaten 
back. At this time word was passed 
along to hold on, as reinforcements 
COMPANY M ON THE MARCH were on the way up. 




THE 131ST INFANTRY 



255 



"Ten minutes after receiving this order the Germans put over a very 
heavy barrage, followed by another counterattack. As soon as we saw the 
Germans coming we opened fire. We had fired quite a while before we 
noticed that the firing was rather weak on both sides of us. 

"Upon looking around we could see few of our men left and there was 
no officer present. I did not know where he was. So I took command and 
called "count off." finding only fourteen men remaining. We could see there 
was wave after wave of Germans coming and I decided to take a vote as to 
whether to continue fighting or give up. The majority were in favor of fight- 
ing. Again we opened fire. By this time the Germans were on our right and 
left as well as front. Our ammunition was very low. Private Villano, who 
was operating a Chauchat automatic gun, called for ammunition, and we 




EMBUSSING FOR THE FRONT 

passed to him all we could spare. Individually we had fired about 175 
rounds each up to this time, 

"The Germans were very close to us by this time and we again took a 
vote whether to fight or not. Our ammunition was very low. We could not 
hold them back for any length of time now, fighting against such odds. The 
majority were in favor of giving up, as we had done the most possible under 
the circumstances and to continue would be suicide. 

"We gave up at 5:30 p, m., after having repulsed one counterattack and 
withstood a heavy barrage followed by another counterattack which we four- 
teen had so far held up for about an hour. The Germans were coming towards 
us in three waves and appeared to extend as far to the right and left of our 
elevated position as we could see." 



256 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Corporal Torset's band of men did not surrender until 5:30 p. m. while, 
according to the report of Captain W. Lutz Krigbaum of Company A, 124th 
Machine Gun Battalion, which was attached to the second battalion of the 
132nd Infantry, the retreat of that regiment occurred at 2:30 p. m. There is 
no doubt that this squad, if it had received even slight support or had been 
given information as to the action of supporting troops, could easily have ef- 
fected a retirement before it was surrounded. 

The 131st was relieved on the night of October 14, crossed to the west 
bank of the Meuse, and for five days occupied the old German trenches south 
of Forges Wood. For the first time since September 9 the regiment was be- 
yond effective artillery range. Conditions were bad, however, as a result of 
heavy rains and cold weather. Many of the men, weakened by the gassing 




FORMING UP LINE FOR THE RAIDS ON ST. HILAIRE 



and the strain to which they had been subjected, became ill and were sent 
to the hospital. 

On October 19 the regiment was ordered south to the Nixeville area. 
The men believed that they were to secure a much-needed rest but they were 
doomed to disappointment. The regiment marched every night in the rain 
and mud until it arrived at the former St. Mihiel salient on October 23. By 
October 28 the second battalion had relieved a French infantry regiment and 
was again occupying the front line, facing the enemy. In fourteen days, most 
of which had been spent in marching and with scarcely any rest, the regi- 
ment was again in action and preparing for a general offensive in the direc- 
tion of Metz. The long march from the Verdun sector to the new front was 
one which the men of the 131st will never forget. The following extract from 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



257 




the report of the opera- 
tions officer gives some 
idea of the difficulties 
and hardships that were 
encountered and over- 
come: 

"October 19 at 4:30 
p. m., the regiment re- 
ceived orders to move to 
the Nixeville area that 
night. Route was 
changed at 8:30 p. m. 
and billeting detail was 
unable to proceed with 
its work. The men were 
drenched, having lain in 
trenches for several days in the continuous rain. New line of march could 
not be reconnoitered for lack of time, which resulted in battalions lengthen- 
ing the necessary marching distance in the dark. A cold, drizzling rain fell 
all night. Many men who had been slightly gassed had difficulty in keeping 
the pace because of shortness of breath. The pace was of necessity slow on 
account of the mud. 

"Nixeville Woods were reached after daylight and the mud there was 
from six to ten inches deep. No chance to dry wet clothing as the rain still 



MACHINE GUN NEST AT ENTRANCE TO CHURCHYARD 
IN ST. HILAIRE 




THE DAM AT ST. HILAIRE 
The dam was mined, but the American advance was so unexpected that the Germans neglected 

to set it off. 



258 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




continued. At 7:15 p. 
m. of the 20th, orders 
arrived to move to Re- 
court area. Men were 
aroused and transport 
made ready and moved 
at midnight. New des- 
tination was not reached 
until afternoon of the 
2ist of October. Third 
battahon camped along 
the road that night. The 
ground of their bivouac 
was low and wet. Offi- 
cers and men were tired 
and dirty, but their 
spirit was still good." 
Although the condition of the regiment after its arrival on the new front 
naturally was bad, as a result of this difficult march following its long period 
of service on the front lines, it recuperated rapidly. Its ranks were thinned 
due to the failure of adequate replacements to arrive, but the regiment was 
ready again for active service when orders came for it to relieve the 132nd 
Infantry. The relief was completed on November 7 and the entire regiment 
then was again in line. During the next few days, until the suspension of 
hostilities, the regiment carried out with its usual vigor and success the opera- 
tions which were entrusted to it. 



A PILL-BOX AND BATTERY POSITION IN ST. HILAIRE 

This was one of the positions occupied and destroyed by the 
131st in the raid of November 9, 1918. 




THE WRECKED BRIDGE AT ST. HILAIRE 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



259 



The regiment's new sector had been quiet ever since the St. Mihiel offen- 
sive on September 12, but it became active upon the arrival of the 131st In- 
fantry. Fighting patrols were sent out night and day. Raid followed raid, 
and attacks were launched in quick succession against the enemy. 

Austrian troops had been holding the lines opposite the new sector of 
the 131st, but the capitulation of Austria compelled their withdrawal. It was 
important, therefore, that contact should be established with the supposedly 
demoralized enemy in order that the strength and makeup of his forces might 
be determined. 

Patrols of the 131st roamed over the entire front with little opposition. 
Patrol No. 5, under Lieutenant A. G. Miller, which was sent out at 3 a. m. 
November 8, captured an enemy outpost with a machine gun in the Bois de 
Warville. From the prisoners taken it was learned that the 210th Pom- 




THE ROAD LEADING INTO THE BOIb DES ROUTES EPINES 



eranian Reserve Infantry Regiment, lately from the Champagne district, was 
on the immediate front of the 131st, with the 449th Infantry Regiment on the 
left and the 211th Reserve Infantry Regiment on the right. 

Two raids were made on the town of St. Hilaire, the first at dawn of 
November 8 by two provisional companies of six officers and 200 men under 
the command of Captain William M. Wilson. The party was ordered to se- 
cure prisoners, dead or alive, for purpose of identification, and to destroy or 
capture enemy material. Captain Wilson's report tells the story of this raid: 

*'At zero hour the front line plunged through the narrow stream and, 
after forming up, advanced toward the town. The box barrage was very 
weak; in fact, its effect was almost nil. The standing barrage on Butgncviiie 
was weak, and I failed to see any evidence of smoke shells. The rolling bar- 
rage, from my observation and that of my officers and men, whom I ques- 



26o 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 






UN THL EDiuE UF IHE EOIS DES HAUTES EPINES 

tinned, failed to fire a shot northeast or south of the town. An enemy flare 
went up and we were subjected to a heavy machine gun fire from around the 
town and the roofs of the buildings. A machine gun nest opened up on our 
rear at about the crossroads. We were then practically surrounded on three 
sides and subject to enfilade fire. I directed Lieutenant Casey to withdraw 
the troops." 

The second raid on St. Hilaire was made at dawn on the following morn- 
ing. November 9, by a force of officers and men equal to that which partici- 
pated in the initial raid. Captain James C. Stockwell was in command. This 
time the artillery gave good support, firing as ordered. The raiding party 
was able to pass through and around the town. Captain Stockwell reported 
that he found the town vacant and badly damaged by artillery fire. He re- 
ported these conditions in the following laconic message: 

"Town blown to Hell." 

Such machine gun nests and buildings as were still standing were de- 
stroyed by bombs. Captain Stockwell found the town surrounded by wire 
entanglements except for an opening on the main road in the rear through 
which the enemy had escaped and through which the raiding party had en- 
tered. Captain Stockwell and his party returned to the lines, but that night 
Company F was detailed to occupy the town and hold it at all costs. 

On the same night, November 9, the first battalion, under Captain Wil- 
liam M. Wilson, was ordered to attack through the Bois des Hautes Epines, 
La Vachere and Veux to the east and then to press forward toward the town 
of Jonville, penetrating with another detachment north into the Bois de War- 
ville. This order was changed as the attack developed. Captain Wilson was 
directed to clean up the Bois de Warville and the Bois des Hautes Epines and 
to hold these woods pending an attack to be made on the Bois d'Harville in 
the morning. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



261 




AERIAL VIEW OF ST. HILAIRE AND EUTGNEVILLE 
Showing the terrain of regimental operations during the closing days of the war. 



262 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



The attack was successful, the enemy being pushed back and out of the 
woods by 2 a. m., except in the Veux wood. There, Lieutenant Burl F. Hall, 
with a detail of Company C, ran into heavy wire entanglements through 
which he could not force his way. The enemy raked the wood with machine 
gun fire and Lieutenant Hall's detachment was forced to withdraw to La Va- 
chere Wood. 

Early on the morning of November 10 the regiment was ordered to at- 
tack the Bois d'Harville and penetrate the German defenses. The Bois 
d'Harville was a stronghold in the last important line between the American 
positions and the forts of Metz. Scouts reported it strongly held, heavily 
wired and protected by numerous machine guns. 




NONCOMMISSIONED STAFF OF 131ST INFANTRY 

The third battalion, under Captain Stock well, formed up on the edge 
of the Bois de Warville. The first battalion, which had cleared the woods 
during the night, moved to the right and formed up along the edge of the 
Bois des Hautes Epines. The second battalion under Captain Magner, less 
Company F, which had been sent to hold St. Hilaire, formed up in the rear as 
support to the third battalion, which was to make the attack. 

The zero hour, according to original orders, was set at 2 p. m., Novem- 
ber 10. This was changed to 11 a. m., however, by a message from General 
Wolf. Captain Wilson was ordered to attack Bertaucourt Farm at the 
same time as a flank protection to the main attack. The attack on Bertau- 
court Farm was made as ordered, but the assault on the Bois d'Harville did 
not develop because of the failure of the artillery support to destroy the heavy 
wire entanglements. It was seen that more troops would be needed for the 
attack. The second battalion was ordered up into the line, and Captain 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



26^ 




CHATEAU AT THILLOMBOIS 

Regimental headquarters previous to the last battle of the war. 



Magner was placed in 
command of the attack- 
ing troops. 

The third battahon 
attacked at 2:18 p. m. 
It was immediately met 
by heavy machine gun 
and artillery fire. Lieu- 
tenant William E. Simp- 
son of Company H was 
killed and his company 
suffered heavy casual- 
ties. Company G, un- 
der command of Lieu- 
tenant Julian L. Doug- 
las, was consolidated 
with Company H, and 

the line continued to move forward through the woods. In the face 
of terrific fire the men fought like fiends. They had often to break through 
the wire by hammering it down with the butts of their rifles, but they got 
through. At 3:55 the objective was reached by the attacking forces and the 
enemy had been driven beyond the Jonville-Harville road. 

At the same time 
Companies A and D 
were engaged in the 
attack on Bertaucourt 
Farm. As they crossed 
the open space in front 
of their lines they were 
met by heavy machine 
gun fire, suffering heavy 
casualties. It was found 
that the enemy had been 
reinforced but the two 
companies of the 131st 
put up a good fight. 
They succeeded in cap- 
turing a machine gun, 
which they used to good 
effect, and returned in 
good order to their posi- 
tion in the Bois des 

MAJOR MAGNER AND STAFF OF THE SECOND Hautes Epines, in ac- 

£>A. 1 1 ALilvJiN _ ' 1 1 • - 

Left to right : Captain Geehan, Captain Sawyer, Major Magner, COrdance With their Orig- 
Lieutenants Bachand, Walters, Loehr. inal Orders. 




2 64 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 






"'[ff**'*'^*'' ■'■'■' ^m'-'^f'miimr'^'lf^'y^tmm 







-i A. *>* '^^ . 



BERTAUCOURT FARM 
One of the objectives in the lighting of November lo. 




After the troops 
which had been engaged 
in the attack on the Bois 
d'Harville had reached 
their objective, the 
enemy threw a heavy 
barrage on the captured 
territory. The woods 
were filled with mustard 
gas in such volume 
that it was necessary to 
vacate the position that 
had been gained, and the 
troops returned to their old line in the Bois de Warville. 

At 6 p. m. enemy troops were observed to be forming up in three waves 
in La Vachere Wood for a counterattack. Company A quickly dispersed 
them with machine gun and automatic rifle fire. The enemy retaliated, how- 
ever, by placing a barrage on this company, causing one casualty. 

While the troops lay on their objective in the Bois d'Harville, there oc- 
curred an incident which gave an insight into the methods of warfare adopted 
by the Germans. A report by Sergeant C. C. Wesslund describes the cir- 
cumstances connected with the death of Lieutenant Milton Wilson of Com- 
pany I. Lieutenant Wilson, according to this report, noticed a group of Ger- 
mans advancing with their hands up. Thinking that they wanted to sur- 
render, he ordered his troops not to fire upon the men and stepped out to 
motion them to come into the lines. As he exposed himself two of the Ger- 
mans who were holding up their hands dropped to the ground, revealing 




■K. UF C. ■ RECREATION ROOM IN LUXEMBURG 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



265 




FORWARD MESSACJK CKNTKR AT WOKL 



a third German who had 
been hiding behind them 
with a machine gun. 
The latter opened fire, 
kilHng Lieutenant Wil- 
son instantly. 

At this same time 
Lieutenant Julian L. 
Douglas and Lieutenant 
George N. Dun ford 
were taken prisoners 
while trying to reform 
part of the line. They 
were overpowered and 

captured while passing from one company to another, reorganizing units that 
had been left without officers as a result of heavy casualties. During the time 
the troops were holding this line there was performed one of the most striking 
acts of bravery recorded during the service of the regiment. Corporal John 
Miles, who was suffering severely from shell concussion, gave his valuables 
to his bunkie, with a request that he forward them to his parents, and ad- 
vanced alone toward a machine gun that had been firing upon his squad and 
causing many casualties. He went out to draw the fire from the gun so that 
it might be located. He located the gun and silenced it, and returned to the 
hne, where he collapsed and had to be sent to an aid station. 

The attack of the 131st on the Bois d'Harville was a difficult operation 
because of the fact that no adequate artillery preparation was made and that no 
supporting infantry operation was undertaken on either flank. The orders re- 
ceived by the regiment had stated that supporting troops on the left and right 
would make similar demonstrations throughout the day, but as a matter of fact 
no activity of this kind developed to help divert the attention of the enemy. 

On the night of 
November lo-ii. Com- 
pany F, on the right of 
the line, was holding the 
town of St. Hilaire; the 
third battalion with two 
companies of the second 
was occupying the Bois 
de Warville; the first 
battalion, less one com- 
pany, was in the Bois 
des Hautes Epines; one 
platoon of Company C 

FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS IN HANNONVILLE WaS acting aS liaison 
A German concrete building with walls two feet thick. with the IlOth Infantry 




266 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



in the Bois des Haravillers; three platoons of Company C were at Woel, and 
Company E was at Wadonville in reserve. 

The brigade commander's plans were to renew the attack on the Bois 
d'Harville on the morning of November ii. The troops were to advance 
through the wood until inside of the line of wire entanglements, when they 
were to pivot to the right and attack toward the town of Jonville, which was 
unprotected from that direction. In support of this movement Bertaucourt 
Farm was to be taken and held, and Company F at St. Hilaire, on the extreme 
left flank, was to attack the town of Butgneville. 

In compliance with orders issued the night before, Lieutenant Carroll 
D. Schnepp, commanding Company F, advanced against Butgneville on the 

















CAPTAIN MALSTROM AND OPERATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE STAFF 

morning of November ii. One platoon of machine gunners of Company C, 
124th Machine Gun Battalion, advanced with the attacking company and two 
platoons of Company H, 132nd Infantry, were in support. 

The orders stated that the attack would be preceded by a destructive 
artillery barrage at 5 a. m. Captain Chester E. Inskeep of the 124th Ma- 
chine Gun Battalion, in his report of this engagement, states that this artil- 
lery barrage never fell, but that after a consultation, the officer in command. 
Lieutenant Schnepp, decided to make the attack as ordered, although it was 
well known that the enemy outnumbered the attacking force and was very 
strongly fortified. The attack was launched at 5:20 a. m. with a thin line 
of scouts preceding the first wave by about 150 yards. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



267 



The third and fourth platoons 
of Company F were to enter the 
town from the right through gaps 
in the barbed wire which were ex- 
pected to be made by the artillery 
preparation. The first and second 
platoons were to enter the town in 
the same manner, after attacking 
from the front. Shortly after leav- 
ing St. Hilaire the attacking waves 
were met by machine gun fire which 
increased as the Germans sent up 
flares calling for support. A trench 
mortar battery also went into action 
against the advancing troops. In 
the face of this fire, the men ad- 
vanced until they were near the 
enemy's wire entanglements, which 
they found to be still intact. Final- 
ly both flanks were subjected to 
enfilade fire, while severe rifle and machine gun fire was directed upon the 
troops from Butgneville. Under this heavy fire, casualties of the attacking 
forces were increasing rapidly, and in the absence of artillery support with- 
drawal was found necessary. The troops retired to St. Hilaire, reaching that 
town at 9 a. m. Both the infantry of the 131st and the machine gunners 




GUARDING LINES OF COMMUNICATION 

On the bridge between Wasserbillig, Luxemburg, 
and Oberbillig, Germany. 




COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS FOR ALL 



268 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



of the 124th Battalion suffered severely in this last attack. Company F of 
the 131st lost three men killed and one officer and twenty men wounded while 
the machine gun platoon lost six killed and five wounded. 

Meanwhile preparations had been made for the continuation of the at- 
tack through the Bois d'Harville, but at 8:30 a. m. word came that the 
armistice had been signed and that all firing, except in the event of a Ger- 
man attack, should cease. This information was sent as quickly as possible 
to the troops in the line awaiting the word to attack. 

The men received the good news without cheering or other demonstra- 
tions. The Germans were still sending over a rain of shells as if in an effort 
to spend all the available ammunition in the last hours of the war. Machine 
guns sprayed the American lines until 11 o'clock, and the artillery did not 
cease fire until after the designated hour. This final demonstration of Ger- 




BRIDGE AT WORMELDANGE OVER WHICH THE 131ST ENTERED GERMANY 

man hate caused the loss of many lives on the last morning of the war. As 
the firing ceased, an unreal silence came upon the battlefields. Ears accus- 
tomed to the heavy guns found the silence unearthly. As soon as they had 
become convinced that the fighting was really over, the exhausted soldiers 
dropped in their tracks and slept until orders came to withdraw and assemble 
in the rear for rest and recuperation. 

The Germans soon were flocking from their trenches to beg for cigar- 
ettes and tobacco. They were received coldly, for the Americans could not 
so quickly forget. A guard line was established and all Germans were turned 
back. However, many Russian and Italian prisoners who were released from 
the iron district back of the German front were admitted to the American 
lines. They were a dirty, hungry lot, all pathetically happy over the ending 
of hostihties. 

At night the Germans celebrated with unbounded enthusiasm. Thev set 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



269 




RATION AND SUPPLY DUMP AT LAROCHETTE 



off countless flares, sig- 
nal lights and rockets 
to express their joy. It 
was a wonderful specta- 
cle. The whole horizon, 
as far as the eye could 
see, was bright with all 
the colors of the rain- 
bow. 

On the following 
day the 131st began to 
clean up the area over 
which it had fought, col- 
lecting captured ma- 
terial and ammunition 
to be piled in large salvage dumps. It was a stupendous task and kept the 
regiment busy for more than a month. Once a week maneuvers were held 
to keep the men fit for further fighting in case the armistice should be ter- 
minated. 

Soon after November 11 the regiment was notified that it was to have 
the honor of representing the American Expeditionary Forces in the formal 
occupation of Metz on December 8. Thirty-two officers and 735 men were 
selected as a provisional battalion and were fitted out with the pick of the 
regiment's equipment, in order that they might make a good appearance. A 
blouse was borrowed here, a pair of breeches there, and a cap elsewhere, 
until the picked battalion looked almost as if it had not been living in the 
trenches for months. 

This battalion, commanded by Major Allen, with Colonel Sanborn at its 
head, led the imposing parade which marched through Metz and passed in 
review before President Poincare, M. Clemenceau, Marshal Joffre, Marshal 




SALUTING THE COLORS OF THE 131ST INFANTRY AT THE DIVISION REVIEW AT 

ETTELBRUCK 



!7o 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Foch, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, General Pershing, General Petain, 
and Lord Derby. Marching with the battalion were the staff of the Seventy- 
third French Division, detachments of French infantry, cavalry and artillery, 
and squadrons of tanks and armored cars. 

The governor-general praised the American infantrymen for their ap- 
pearance. ''You look," he said, ''like the fighters you are." 

While the provisional battalion was being feted at Metz, the rest of the 
regiment assembled and started toward the German border. The march be- 
gan December 7. It was a sorry-looking column, if judged by boulevard 
standards. The men were wearing the clothes they had slept and fought in 
for two months. 




LiliMiRAL PERSHiXG CONGRATULATES COEONEL SAXBORN 



Every day a drizzling rain fell. The roads were muddy, and the shoes 
the men were wearing were none too good. Marching on the rain-soaked 
roads soon brought an epidemic of sore feet. But the realization that the 
fighting was over and hope of an early return to the United States kept every- 
one cheerful. The regiment marched until December 14 when it arrived at 
Ehnen, Luxemburg, on the Moselle River, the boundary line of Germany. 
B}^ this time the provisional battalion had returned from Metz and it was a 
complete regiment which crossed the Moselle river into Germany on Decem- 
ber 15 and moved into the Beurig area on the Saar River. 

The regiment's stay in Germany was short, however, for the Thirty- 
third Division was by a readjustment of troops ordered to occupy Luxem- 
burg. On December 17 the 131st marched back to the Fels-Larochette area 
in Luxemburg, where it established its headquarters. Here the regiment was 
billetted until its return to the United States, the various companies being 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



271 



stationed in different towns from the German border on the east to the Belgian 
frontier on the west. 

The first battahon was detailed to collect and guard all German salvage 
scattered throughout this area and to guard the line of communications through 
Luxemburg between France and the occupied section of Germany. It was 
occupied with this work until its departure for America. The second and 
third battalions, with other units of the regiment, were kept busy with a sys- 
tematic schedule of training which included frequent battle maneuvers. 

Mornings were devoted to drill and the afternoons to athletics and study 
in the various schools that had been established. In the evenings entertain- 
ment was provided by theatrical troupes organized by the several units of 
the division. The Americans made friends with the people of Luxemburg, 
so the stay in the little duchy was not unpleasant. 




THE START FROM LUXEMBURG FOR HOME 



The British government presented medals to several men of the regiment 
while it was in Luxemburg, and on April 22, 19 19, General Pershing deco- 
rated many officers and men and attached battle streamers to the regimental 
colors. A week later the journey back to Illinois began. The trip to Brest 
was made in box cars, but the nature of the expedition more than atoned for 
the discomforts. 

Two weeks were spent in Brest, and on May 14 the regiment, newly out- 
fitted, boarded the Kaiserin Augusta Victoria and sailed away from France, 
the land where it had fought so well and left so many of its mem.bers. 

The ship docked at Long Island City on the morning of May 23. As it 
entered the harbor, the heavy fog which until that time had obscured the 
view, lifted sufficiently to give the men a welcome sight of the Goddess of 
Liberty. The ship was met by a little gray tender on which were Governor 
Lowden's reception committee of Illinois and friends of members of the regi- 
ment. 



272 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




COLONEL SANBORN BIDDING FAREWELL TO THE FIRST CONTINGENT TO BE 
SEPARATED FROM THE REGIMENT 



The regiment was sent to Camp Mills, and the men, other than those 
whose homes were in Illinois, were detached and sent to demobilization camps 
throughout the country. 

On May 24 Governor Lowden visited the regiment and addressed the 
assembled troops, expressing his pride in the record made by the unit in 
which he had once served. He was visibly moved as he referred to the battle 
streamers waving from the colors which he had presented to the regiment 
nearly two years before. 

After a week at Camp Mills the 131st started for Chicago, with eighty- 
six officers and 1,929 men. It reached the city on June 2 and received a 
tremendous ovation. After a rousing reception in Grant Park the unit 

paraded with other Thir- 
ty-third Division troops 
through the streets of 
the city. 

Late that day the 
regiment entrained for 
Camp Grant to be mus- 
tered out. The men were 
discharged on June 4 and 
5. The next day, all rec- 
ords having been closed, 
the regimental c o m - 
mander was returned to 
civil life, and the 131st 

GOVERNOR LOWDEN ADDRESSING THE MEN AT United States Infantry 
CAMP MILLS was no more. 




THE 131ST INFANTRY 



273 




MAJORS OF THE 131ST INFANTRY 
Top row: Frances M. Allen, Harry E. Cheney, Paul C. Gale. 
Middle row: Frederick E. Haines, Walter H. Magner. ,. ^ „• . 

Bottom row: William R. Mangum, John M. Richmond, Hamlet L. Kidgway. 



2 74 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 131ST INFANTRY WHO WERE KILLED IN ACTION, 
DIED OF WOUNDS OR DIED OF DISEASE OVERSEAS 



Captain 

Louis Preston 

First Lieutenants 

Frank De Vaney 
Harrison A. Dickson 
Harry E. Hackett 
John R. Marchant 
William E. Simpson 
Milton E. Wilson 

Second Lieutenants 

Walton U. Beauvais 
David O. Edes 
Hyman Freiburg 
Benjamin P. Hinkle 
Harding F. Horton 
William A. Joes 
John C. Lee 
Maurice V. Schrauer 
Robert C. Westman 
Francis W. Whitney 

First Sergeant 

Linus C. Ruth 

Mess Sergeant 

Thomas F. O'Donnell, Jr. 

Sergeants 

William B. Allen 
Robert E. Backstrom 
Hilmar J. Behrantz, Jr. 
Robert A. Berg 
Warren N. Brust 
Rilado E. Dorman 
Harold Gundstrom 
Charles L. Halash 
Leslie W. Hegberg 
Clarence Irwin 
Clifford Kennedy 
Cecil F. Kyle 
William E. Lohman 
La Verne Ohlhaver 
Albert Ratagik 
Lawrence S. Riddle 
Joseph Schlinski 
Charles A. Simmons 
Homer M. Stewart 

Corporals 

Lyman J. Allison 
Leo Bedockowicz 
Carl G. Berg 
Joseph Bernhardt 
Wallace M. Bixler 



Harry L. Brown 
Lavergne Cope 
Edward M. Danczyk 
James Dunlevy 
Anton Duschanek 
Clarence E. Eagle 
Benjamin Ferkins 
William F. Ford 
Harry G. Fulton 
Frank Grist 
Henry Hahney 
Seth Halper 
Holger Haunstrup, Jr. 
Martin F. Hellgren 
Earl E. Hixon 
Chester I. Huston 
Thomas Jelach 
Ora F. Johnston 
William H. Kartheiser 
G. V. Kater 
Paul J. Kendrick 
James B. Kettering 
Fred V. Lindgren 
Raymond C. Mills 
Norman Oftedahl 
Harold G. Ralls 
John P. Rceder 
Elmer L. Rindi^ish 
William Resell 
Harold M. Schneider 
William Seskarski 
James J. Sibrava 
Martin F. Vutrick 
Fred O. Weiberg 
Lester A. Whitson 
Pierce A. Wisdom 

Mechanics 

Dennis J. Callahan 
George W. E. Hamilton 
William Pretlzk 
Paul B. Schmidt 
George A. Stoll 

Wagoners 

Charles A. Johnson 
James D. McQuade 

Cook 

Frank F. Bent 

Buglers 

Edward Drisch 
Charles H. Francis 
Eli H. Schultz 
Frank B. Swift 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



275 



Privates, First Class 

Theodore E. Anderson 
Melvin A. Barr 
Clarence L. Billmeyer 
Herman Bovver, Jr. 
Charles Brooks 
Stanley F. Bugala 
Elmer F. Burdick 
Gunner C. Carlson 
Mell Cathelyn 
Frank Cherrichelti 
Ben M. Davis 
John C. EcKman 
James D. Fardy 
Thomas A. Finerty 
Albin Fingal 
Harry G. Fulton 
Walter G. Gerke 
Carl J. Hansen 
William E. Hartman 
Charles F. Hawkins 
Harold R. Heap 
William B. Hill 
Peter Horoshak 
Robert E. Huckins 
Peter Ilko 

George J. Kalvelage 
William E. LambertI 
Benmore Larson 
Henry Lambke 
Gus Lukaziak 
Ruel Neal 
Raymond C. Parke 
Charles Piner 
Theofil Piskocz 
Louis Piatt 
Samuel Rottenberg 
Howard E. Shumway 
Xavier Sieracki 
Henry W. Stade 
John A. Stone 
Joseph Vairia 
Julius Vayduc 
Peter Wargula 
Elmer R. Weber 
Elmer Wiesse 
Joseph J. Winandy 
Alex Wordcn 

Privates 

Irwin C. Albrecht 
Harold G. Ahlborg 
Arthur Anderson 
Ewald L. Anderson 
Omar A. Andreasen 
Osie E. Arthur 
John Averse 
Guerrino D. Avolio 
Michael J. Bagneweski 
James T. Bailes 



Joseph Baker 
Lee Baker 

Herman A. Baltimore 
Thomas Beale 
Leonard F. Becker 
Leo Bell 
Michael Bieryta 
Walter A. Black 
Harold Boswell 
Robert E. Brazil 
Frank D. Bublis 
Levy A. Buchanan 
Sam Buchman 
Basil Bumgarner 
Bradley Burkhart 
Edward J. Burkart 
Leonard Burrows 
Leon S. Burson 
Leonard A. Burson 
Glenn Butch 
Charles C. Carpenter 
James E. Carroll 
Alonzo Carter 
Ralph C. Carqueville 
Mike Cassidy 
Ignatz Cckowski 
Edward Charleston 
John Cherry 
John Chwaiko 
Gasper Ciaccio 
John W. Civils 
James D. Cleary 
Otto C. Clemcnson 
Wilson Cole 
Guerrini D'Avolio 
Frank J. Dax 
Shirl E. Dean 
Hubert A. Dcasey 
John W. Deerin 
Michael H. Dieterle 
Edward L. DriscoU 
Willis J. Dugan 
Frank Dynowski 
Fred Eastlick 
John H. Erlandson 
Warner J. Esser 
Edward Evans 
Albert Fassc 
Patrick F. Fegan 
Walter Fitzwilliams 
Ruben Flesham 
Guiseppe Fontana 
Charley Frazier 
Maurice Fredian 
Louis L. Gagon 
Emanuel A. Gambounis 
Thomas P. Garland 
William R. Geffert 
Otto Gelow 
Albert Gerken 



276 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Simeon H. Glassco 
Louis Gillespie 
William H. Gillespie 
Walter E. Grimes 
William Guley 
Alex Gustis 
Harry J. Haessley 
Nicholas Hagis 
Clyde C. Handley 
William A. Hanson 
Thomas Haraldson 
Oscar O. Haugred 
Harry J. Healey 
Byron A. Nickerson 
James T. Hickey 
James R. Hill 
Walter O. Hoff 
James Hoover 
Jas. B. Hovatter 
Earl J. Howe 
Joseph M. Hrubes 
George Hudgins 
Emery Igo 
Peter Ingram 
Earl C. Ireland 
Joseph Jackson 
Adam Jakubowski 
Joseph Jancius 
Frederick Janssen 
Howard W. Jauch 
Elof H. Johnson 
Robison C. Johnson 
Percy H. Jones 
John Karel 
Frank Kasal 
James B. Kettering 
Theofil Knofski 
Henry H. Kraemer 
Albert J. Krochell 
Edward E. Kubik 
Walter R. Kubli 
Jacob Kucinski 
Walter K. A. Kuehnert 
Frank Kulpit 
Arthur Kyritsis 
Rudolph Lenmark 
Jay Leonard 
Lee Levanson 
Petrus Liljidahl 
Charles Lillvik 
Arthur Lindstrom 
William Linskey 
John L. Loken 
John Loof 
Walter N. Looft 
Richard P. Ludtke 
Harry E. McAllister 
Joseph H. McBroom 
Ben H. McDaniel 
Thomas F. McLaughlin 



Alfred Madson 
Aloysius Malinsky 
Willard J. Mann 
Harry Manusevitz 
Neils M. Matson 
Arthur Markle 
Charles W. Martin 
Joseph Meyers 
Albert H. Michael 
Arthur H. Michel 
Frank Milewski 
Clarence Miller 
Marshall P. Miller 
Harold C. Minnick 
Frank Miskowiecz 
Igussio Misoi 
John J. Murray 
Maurice Norman 
Walter A. Olson 
Raymond Opsomer 
Joseph Osoba 
Joseph Overholzer 
Orville B. Payne 
William B. Peets 
Phillip Perrone 
'Henning W. Peterson 
Willard D. Petty 
John T. Prather 
John Quinn 
Edward C. Randell 
George Riddell 
Samuel L. Rosenthal 
Arlie L. Rudolph 
Marion W. Sanders 
Constantine Scalzetti 
Charles Scheer 
Joe Schill 

Herman A. Schmidt 
Tony P. Schraeder 
Michael Sheridan 
Demonstene Shimko 
Orla R. Simmons 
Custer Singleton 
George O. Slade 
Andrew J. Smerlin 
Henry C. Sorenson 
Anthony Sparachino 
James Standish 
Jacob G. Stephens 
William H. Sumner 
Carl H. Swenson 
Julius L. Tetterton 
Carl J. Teunones 
William W. Treadman 
Louis Triphon 
Joseph A. Urbanski 
Harry Vincent 
Fred W. Walters 
George H. Walz 
Ralph D. Waters 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



277 



Alfred Week 
Fred C. Weichselbraun 
Henry C. Wink 
Fred Winter 



Alois Wise 
Marcus Woodward 
Howard P. Zettel 



DECORATIONS RECEIVED BY OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 131ST INFANTRY 

Four hundred and five officers and men of the 131st Infantry were cited for gallantry in 
action, and up to March i, 1920, 187 decorations were awarded, including 06 American, 46 
British, 34 French and 11 Belgian. Meritorious Conduct Certificates were issued by the com- 
manding general of the Thirty-third Division to 25 officers and 193 men. 



Colonel 

Joseph B. Sanborn 

Distinguished Service Medal 
Distinguished Service Cross 
Distinguished Service Order 
Croix de Guerre with Palm 
Officer Legion of Honor 
Officer Order of Leopold 

Major 

Francis M. Allen 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 



Captains 

Joseph E. Schantz 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre 
Herman H. Weimer 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
William M. Wilson 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 

First Lieutenants 

Harrison A. Dickson 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Albert G. Jefferson 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Cross 
Henry N. Pride 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Norman Schwald 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 

Second Lieutenants 

Walton U. Beauvais 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Henry J. Dick 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Hyman Freiberg 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Harding F. Horton 

Distinguished Service Cross 
John C. Lee 

Distinguished Service Cross 
George J. May 

Distinguished Service Cross 
George W. Sherwood 

The Military Cross 



First Sergeants 

James Jackson 

Distinguished Service Cross 

John J. O'Keefe 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre with Silver Star 

Lawrence S. Riddle 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

Sergeants 

John Breaky 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
Robert R. Cook 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
Andrew Erhart 

The Military Medal 
Herrick R. Goodwillie 

Distinguished Service Cross 
George B. Gourley 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Benjamin H. Harrel 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Swan E. Johnson 

Distinguished Service Cross 
William Jones 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Silver Star 
James E. Krum 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Holly Midkiff 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Sidney C. McGuire 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Walter G. Peabody 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 

The Military Medal 
Earl H. Perkins 

Distinguished Service Cross 



278 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



John C. Perrie 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
\'an Walker Peterson 

Distinguished Service Cross 
William Piepho 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
James B. Powers 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Louis R. Rivers 

Distingu'shed Service Cross 

The Military Medal 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 
James J. Rochfort 

Distinguished Service Cross 
William Scholes 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 

Croix de Guerre with Silver Star 
Vivian Skogsburg 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Mathew Thorneycroft 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 
Thomas J. Walsh 

Distinguished Service Cross 
James J. Wash a 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Alvin Wiberg 

Distinguished Service Cross 
WDliam Woodsmall 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 

Corporals 

Jake Allex (Mandushich) 

Medal of Honor 

Distinguished Conduct Medal 

Medaille Militaire 

Croix de Guerre with Pa'.m Leaf 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 
Charles C. Bark 

Distingu'shed Service Cross 

The Military Medal 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 
John Beato 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Charles H. Boyatt 

Distingu'shed Service Cross 
Nathan M. Curtis 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Roy T. Dixon 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Sol C. Fairman 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
John L. Flynn 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre 



Paul Hobschied 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Distinguished Conduct Medal 

Medaille Militaire 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
Robert P. Howard 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Frank P. Kperper 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Walter N. Larson 

The Military Medal 
Nathan Lieberman 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Stephen M. Mance 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Distinguished Conduct Medal 
John Miles 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Frank L. Mills 

The Military Medal 
Gus W. Palubiack 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Walter G. Peabody 

The Military Medal 
Raymond H. Powell 

The Military Medal 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 
Thomas A. Pope 

Medal of Honor 

Distinguished Conduct Medal 

Medaille Militaire 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 
Andrew C. Shabinger 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Carl Somitz 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Frederick Swabey 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
James L. Waters 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Lester C. Whitson 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Henry C. Zyhurst 

The Military Medal 

Mechanic 

Anton J. Watkin 

Distinguished Service Cross 
The Military Medal 
Decoration Militaire 

Wagoner 

J. W. Hilton 

The Military Medal 



THE i.^isT INFANTRY 



279 



Privates, First Class 
Harry E. Ham pel 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Archie Timblin 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Steve Zappa 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Privates 

William A. Anderson 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Michael Bieryta 

Distinguished Service Cross 
William Blackwell 

The Military Medal 
Frank Bremner 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Sven Carlson 

Distinguished Service Cross 
William Curr 

The Military Medal 
Hugh A. Deasey 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Christopher C. Dunne 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Samuel DuBonnis 

The Military Medal 

Croix de Guerre 
Daniel S. Flagg 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Herman J. Friedman 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
George F. Gaston 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Leon M. Hanna 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Harry W. Heacox 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Edward Herter 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Albert Holmes 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 

Medaille Militaire 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
Percy Jones 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Christopher W. Keane 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Easter E. Keeper 

Distinguished Service Cross 



Frank F. Kostak 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Distinguished Conduct Medal 

Medaille Militaire 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
Arthur Krueger 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
David Leahy 

The Military Medal 
Edward Lidwell 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Pagnel Liljeberg 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Robert W. Lindsay 

Distinguished Service Cross 
William M. Linzsky 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
John C. Mallan 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Charles W. Michaellis 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
Leon H. McBreen 

Distinguished Service Cro:3 
Adolph Nelson 

Distinguished Service Cross 
William Peters 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
Willard D. Petty 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Walter Potter 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Ray Redding 

The Military Medal 
Horace Smotherman 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Harry Stokes 

The Military Medal 
Justyn Sweredo 

The Military Medal 
Gordon Wickham 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
William J. Williams 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Dickson Woodward 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 



28o 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




CORPORAL THOMAS A. POPE 



CORPORAL JAKE ALLEX 



CITATIONS FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR 



Corporal Thomas A. Pope, Com- 
pany E: 

At Hamel, July 4, 1Q18, when 
two companies of his regiment 
participated in their first engage- 
ment, attacking with Australian 
battalions to which they were 
attached, Corporal Pope's com- 
pany was advancing behind the 
tanks when it was halted by 
hostile machine gun lire. Going 
forward alone, he rushed a 
machine gun nest, killed several 
of the crew with his bayonet, 
and, standing astride of his gun, 
held off the others until reen- 
forcements arrived and captured 
them. 





Corporal Jake Allex (Mandu- 
shich), Company H: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9, 
1 91 8, at a critical point in the 
action, when all the officers with 
his p!atoon had become casual- 
ties. Corporal Allex took com- 
mand of the platoon and led it 
forward until the advance was 
stopped by the fire from a ma- 
chine gun nest. He then ad- 
vanced alone for about thirty 
yards in the face of intense fire 
and attacked the nest. With his 
bayonet he killed five of the 
enemy, and, when it was broken, 
used the butt end of his rifle, 
capturing fifteen prisoners. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 281 

CITATIONS FOR THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 

Colonel Joseph B. Sanborn: 

Near Gressaire, August q, 1918, immediately after a forced march of twenty-five miles, Colonel 
Sanborn's regiment was ordered into a critical engagement. Hurrying to the front he personally 
led his forces through a heavy and concentrated shell fire and started the attack at the exact 
allotted time. After launching this attack he established his post of command in a shell hole and 
directed the battle to a successful termination. The courage and fearlessness of Colonel Sanborn, 
despite his advanced age of 62 years, were remarkable to all under his command. 

Captain Joseph E. Schantz: 

Near Consenvoye, October 13, igi8, although seriously wounded in the head by shrapnel. 
Captain Schantz (then lieutenant) went forward to rectify the positions of troops, which were 
occupying the ground on which our barrage was scheduled to fall. Through a perilous fire he 
brought the line back to a new position. 

Captain Herman H. Weimer, Company H: 

Near Bois de Chaume, October q, ioiS, Captain Weimer was wounded in the shoulder and 
a machine gun bullet penetrated his steel helmet, but he continued to lead his company, creating 
confidence in his men at a critical moment. Ordered to the rear, he returned to his company 
after his wounds had been dressed. 

First Lieutenant Harrison A. Dickson (deceased), Company F: 

Near Chipilly Ridge, August 9, 1918, when his company was held up by heavy machine gun 
fire, Lieutenant Dickson ordered his men to lie down and went out alone, facing intense fire, in 
an effort to capture the hostile nest. Shortly after starting forward he was shot through the heart. 

First Lieutenant Albert G. Jefferson, Company C: 

At Hamel, July 4, 1918, Lieutenant Jefferson, severely wounded in the breast and shoulder 
from shell fire, continued with and commanded his platoon until its final objective was reached 
and consoHdation of its position was completed. 

First Lieutenant (later Captuin) Henry N. Pride, Company A: 

Near Bois de Chaume, October 10-12, 1918, Lieutenant Pride, acting on his own initiative, 
led a patrol of three which penetrated the enemy's lines and after killing three Germans returned 
with three prisoners, one machine gun, and one automatic rifle. When the commander of the 
company on his left was killed. Lieutenant Pride assumed command and consolidated the position, 
repulsing two counterattacks in which the enemy lost seventy-five dead and wounded and ten 
prisoners. 

Second Lieutenant Walton U. Bcaiivais (deceased), Company M : 

At Bois d'Harville, November 10, 1918, while in command of the left assaulting wave, 
Lieutenant Beauvais met very stiff opposition. He continually exposed himself, setting an example 
of bravery which encouraged his men to advance. Single-handed he forced the machine gun crew 
Ihat was holding up the advance to surrender by placing himself in an exposed position where he 
could command a view of the machine gun crew and where he succeeded in killing the pointer 
by a well directed shot, thus aiding the line to advance to its objective. Lieutenant Beauvais 
received a mortal wound shortly afterward. 

Second Lieutenant Henry J. Dick, Company H: 

At Chipilly Ridge. August 9, 1918, Lieutenant Dick exhibited qualities of heroism and initia- 
tive, that could not be surpassed. During the advance all the officers of the company were 
wounded. Lieutenant Dick, although wounded in the leg, refused to go back for medical attention. 
The machine gun bullet that hit him knocked him down, but he immediately got to his feet and 
alone rushed the machine gun nest that was causing heavy casualties. He bayoneted one and shot 



282 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

two of the enemy and captured five. Shortly after this Lieutenant Dick saw one of the enemy 
enter a dugout and captured twelve of them there and three machine guns. By his daring and 
extraordinary coolness he inspired his men. He worked for four days and nights unceasingly and 
without rest and in the face of terrific fire from artillery and machine guns. 

Second Lieutenant Hyman Freiberg (deceased) : 

Near Chipilly Ridge, August o, 1018, although wounded early in an advance, Lieutenant 
Freiberg went forward with his men until he fell from loss of blood. He refused to be evacuated 
and while his wounds were being treated on the spot, preparatory to resuming the advance, was 
killed by shell fire. 

Second Lieutenant Hardifi^ F. Norton (deceased), Company C: 

North of Bois de Chaume, October 10, 1Q18, Lieutenant Horton, although twice wounded, 
continued to lead his command until he was killed. He repeatedly moved up and down an open 
space across which his platoon was e.xtended and which was constantly swept by machine gun and 
sniper fire, encouraging his men and directing their fire. His gallantry had much to do with 
the routing of the enemy. 

Second Lieutenafit John C. Lee (deceased). Company H: 

Near Chipilly Ridge, August g, 1Q18, Lieutenant Lee, when his platoon was held up by fire 
from a machine gun nest, advanced alone against the position, and, although mortally wounded, 
attacked and killed the crew, falling dead among the bodies of the Germans. 

Second Lieutenant George J. May. Company G: 

In an attack on Gressaire Wood and Chipilly Ridge. August 0, 1918, Lieutenant May (then 
a sergeant) on his own initiative rushed a machine gun nest, capturing one gun and taking two 
prisoners. He accomplished this under heavy machine gun and artillery fire. He also showed 
great courage and devotion to duty in getting rations up to the men in the lines. 

First Sergeant James Jackson, Company K: 

On the east bank of the Meuse, October 10, 1018, Sergeant Jackson, with a small party of 
his company, of his own volition, passed through the enemy's barrage and under machine gun 
fire from Sivry captured an enemy (Austrian) machine gun and its crew of seventeen men. 
Thereafter he showed extraordinary heroism under shell fire and machine gun fire in trying to 
locate, and did locate, enemy machine gun positions about Sivry. 

First Sergeant John J. O'Keefe, Company M: 

Near Bois d'Harville, November 10, 1018, after all the officers of two companies had become 
casualties, Sergeant O'Keefe rallied the men, who had become disorganized under heavy machine 
gun fire, and led them forward toward the objective, displaying marked courage and leadership. 

First Sergeant Lawrence Scott Riddle (deceased), Company 1: 

At Bois de Chaume, October 11, 1918, Sergeant Riddle, with four soldiers, flanked a machine 
gun position, killed three of the crew, and captured one, with the guns. He was subsequently 
killed while leading a small group of men in an attack on a machine gun nest. 

Sergeant John Breaky, Company H: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 0, 1018, Sergeant Breaky, after being shot through both legs, 
gallantly continued to perform his duty, charging one machine gun nest after another. 

Sergeant Robert R. Cook, Company A: 

At Bois de Chaume, October 11, 1Q18, Sergeant Cook crawled out in front of the enemy's 
lines to locate snipers. In this position he fired upon and put out of action a group of machine 
gunners, thus exposing his position and drawing enemy sniper fire. Having in his possession 
asphyxiating grenades, which emit a dense white smoke, he hurled one of them at the sniper's 
position and under cover of this improvised smoke screen walked back to the lines. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



283 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 
Top row : Captain Joseph E. Schantz, Captain Herman H. Weimer, Second Lieutenant Walton 

SeconTrow: First Lieutenants Harrison A. Dickson, Albert G. Jefferson, Harry N. Pride. 
Bottom row: Second Lieutenants Henry J. Dick, John C. Lee, Georc;e J. May. 



284 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

Sergeant (later Second Lieutenant ) Herrick R. Goodivillie, Company B: 

At Bois de Chaume, October lo, 1918, when his company had been caught in enfilading fire 
from machine guns from their right flank in such a way that it could not advance or retire, and 
after several runners had been killed trying to get to the rear for aid, Sergeant Goodwillie volun- 
teered to go back for assistance. He crawled through machine gun fire, reached the trench mortar 
battery of the 131st Infantry, guided it forward, operating one of the guns, and with its aid 
saved the company from destruction. Although almost exhausted from his efforts, he led his 
platoon forward to its objective. 

Sergeant George B. Gourley, Company E: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 10, 1918, Sergeant Gourley displayed qualities of courage and 
leadership by taking command of his platoon and continuing the advance when his platoon 
commander had been killed. With one other soldier he fearlessly attacked a machine gun nest, 
capturing the gun and killing the crew. He then carried the captured gun with him and used 
it effectively against the enemy. 

Sergeant Benjamin H. Harrel, Company K: 

North of Consenvoye, October 10, iQiS, Sergeant Harrel observed an enemy machine gun 
and crew beyond the objective, and on his own initiative crawled out to and flanked the position, 
with the aid of two men. and under very heavy fire from artillery and machine guns captured 
the machine gun and one officer, killing two men who tried to escape. 

Sergeant Sican E. Johnson, Company B: 

At Chipi-ly Ridge, August 9, 1918, Sergeant Johnson displayed exceptional qualities of 
initiative when his company was held up by a concentrated fire from machine guns and artillery. 
He and Sergeant Deal, on their own initiative, went forward on reconnaissance along a road 
that was enfiladed by enemy fire. Although severely wounded he returned and led his company 
forward, enabling the entire battalion to advance. 

Sergeant William Jones, Company G: 

Near Bethincourt, September 26, 1918, Sergeant Jones, on his own initiative, advanced under 
concentrated rifle and machine gun fire, which had been holding up his platoon, and put out of 
action a nest of light machine guns on the flank, permitting the platoon to continue forward. 

Sergeant James E. Krnm, Company E: 

At Haniel, July 4, 1918, Sergeant Krum, although severely wounded in the arm at the 
beginning of the engagement, continued forward as squad leader, exhibiting great gallantry and 
setting an inspiring example to his men. After his wound had been dressed he insisted on return- 
ing to his platoon. 

Sergeant Holly U. Midkiff, Company L: 

At Bois d'Harville, November 10, 191S, preceding with a platoon in the advance by fifteen 
yards, Sergeant Midkiff discovered a machine gun nest and, crawling forward alone under heavy 
fire, captured the position, taking twelve German prisoners. 

Sergeant Sidney Clifiord McGuire, Company B: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9, 1918, Sergeant McGuire, although wounded early in the engage- 
ment, showed great devotion to duty by continuing at his post as platoon leader for two days, 
relinquishing command only when forced to do so by the condition of his wound. 

Sergeant Walter G. Peabody, Company D: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9, 1918, Sergeant Peabody displayed great leadership in handling 
his squad and volunteered for patrol work in front of a new position on August 10 and 11. He 
held an observation post in advance of the front line under heavy shell fire. 

Sergeant ( latter Second Lieutenant) Earl H. Perkins, Company M : 

In the Meuse-Argonne offensive September 26, 191 8, with three other soldiers Sergeant Per- 
kins, on his own initiative, crawled out across an open field, subjected to intense artillery and 
machine gun fire, and flanked three machine gun positions. Seven Germans were killed by the 
patrol and twenty-three captured. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



28s 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 
Top row: First Sergeant John J. O'Keefe, First Sergeant Lawrence Scott Riddle, Sergeant 
Herrick R. Goodwillie. ^ -. , 

Second row: Sergeants George B. Gourley, Benjamin H. Harrell, Swan E. Johnson. 
Bottom row: Sergeants William Jones, Sidney C. McGuire, Earl H. Perkins. 



286 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

Sergeant John C. Perrie, Headquarters Company: 

On the east bank of the Meuse, October lo. iqiS, Sergeant Perrie had charge of a section ol 
trench mortars, supporting the second battalion, 131st Infantry, attached to the i32d Infantry. 
When the i32d Infantry fell back he found that the officer in charge of the trench mortar battery, 
which was to support the first battalion, was nowhere to be found. He then took his own section 
forward and knocked out four machine guns which had been holding up the company for sev- 
eral hours. 

Sergeant Van Walker Peterson, Company B: 

Near Bois de Chaume October 10. loiS, when the company guarding the flank was on the 
verge of retreating in disorder, Sergeant Peterson jumped to the front and held the badly shaken 
troops in their positions. His quick action during the terrific fire was responsible for the safety 
of the entire line. 

Sergeant William Piepho, Company B: 

At Drillancourt, September 26, 1Q18, when the progress of the company was greatly held up 
by a sniper. Sergeant Piepho voluntarily worked his way out to the sniper and shot him with his 
revolver. He exposed himself to direct fire and set a wonderful example to his men. 

Sergeant James B. Powers, Company L: 

At Albert, on August 4, 1Q18, Sergeant Powers volunteered lo go alone into the town lo drive 
off snipers who were preventing the reorganization of the line. He crawled from house to house 
under fire and succeeded in silencing the snipers. 

Sergeant Louis R. Rivers, Company B: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 0, 1918. when his platoon had become detached from his company 
Sergeant Rivers reorganized what was left of the platoon and, with some stragglers from the French 
and some lost Americans, led them to the objective, consolidated the location and resisted a coun- 
terattack. 

Sergeant James J. Rochjort. Company G: 

At St. Hilaire Wood, November 0, 1918, Sergeant Rochfort displayed exceptional qualities of 
heroism and initiative during the advance when he, alone and on his own initiative, worked his 
way through a wood and attacked a machine gun nest, killing two of the crew and driving the 
remainder out of the wood. 

Sergeant William Sclioles. Company C: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 10, 1918, when the advance of his platoon was suddenly subjected 
to intense machine gun fire at close range, wounding his platoon commander and other platoon 
sergeants. Sergeant Scholes showed splendid devotion to duty by personally managing a machine 
gun in the advance position and maintaining fire until the rest of the platoon had reached shelter. 

Sergeant Vivia7i Skogsburg, Company L: 

In the Forges Creek region, September 26, 1918, Sergeant Skogsburg, while crossing the river, 
was severely burned by a phosphorous shell. He persisted in leading his platoon forward, mop- 
ping up the territory as he advanced. When the objective was reached he was ordered to the 
aid station. He walked the greater part of the way. 

Sergeant Matthew R. Thomeycroft . Company D: 

Near Consenvoye, October 10-14, i9i8, Sergeant Thorneycroft brought his ration detail up 
to the front line daily and kept two companies fully rationed, although he had to lead his detail 
through continuous shell fire. 

Sergeant Thomas J. Walsh. Company D: 

At Bray-sur-Somme, August 17, 1918, Sergeant Walsh conducted a daylight raid on enemy 
trenches and gained his objective, also capturing prisoners and machine guns. Although severely 
wounded he carried a wounded comrade to safety from a heavily shelled zone, and returned to 
his platoon to direct the attack, refusing first aid until ordered by his company commander. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



287 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 
Top row: Sergeants John C. Perrie, William Piepho, Louis R. Rivers. 
Second row: Serjeants James J. Rochfort. William Scholes. t „. 1 u 

Bottom row: Sergeants Vivian Skogsburg, Matthew R. Thorneycroft, Thomas J. Walsh. 



288 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

Sergeant James J. Washa. Company F: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August g, 1918, Sergeant Washa, single-handed, captured two machine gun 
nests. When his platoon had been held up by these guns he advanced on his own initiative and 
killed the crew of the first post, and, advancing to the second, took them prisoners. He did this 
in the face of very heavy machine gun and artillery fire. 

Sergeant Alvin C. Wiberg, Company C: 

In the battle of Gressaire Wood, August q-io, 1018, Sergeant Wiberg, while on outpost duty 
with his squad of automatic riflemen, was spied by the enemy and they made a direct hit on his 
position, killing one man and wounding the remainder. Wiberg himself removed the men to a 
position of safety, then taking a new automatic rifle returned to the post of duty. He held the 
post alone for fourteen hours until relief came. 

Sergeant William Woodsmall, Company A : 

Near Consenvoye, October 10, 1018, Sergeant Woodsmall left the lines for the purpose of 
putting out of action a machine gun nest. He killed the crew and brought back the gun. His act 
was the more commendable for the fact that he had been in the service only a short time. 

Corporal John Beato, Company H: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August Q-io, iQiS, Corporal Beato showed remarkable bravery and devo- 
tion to duty by cheering his men and leading out ration parties through barrages. He volunteered 
and with a patrol of eight men found out the exact enemy location. On his own initiative, he 
deployed his men and wiped out machine gun nests, capturing fotty prisoners. 

Corporal Charles H. Boyatt, Company L: 

At Bois d'Harville, November 10, 1918, Corporal Boyatt, with one private, on their own 
initiative, captured a machine gun nest and prisoners and destroyed two guns under heavy machine 
gun fire. 

Corporal Nathan M. Curtis, Company L: 

East of the Meuse, north of Consenvoye, October 10, igiS, Corporal Curtis voluntarily loft 
shelter and led a patrol of three men 200 yards across an open field, and, under very heavy shell 
fire, captured a machine gun, killing two and capturing one of the enemy. His coolness and 
bravery inspired his men to persist and go forward though they knew the great danger involved. 

Corporal Roy T. Dixon, Company B: 

Near Consenvoye, October 14, iqi8, after five runners had been killed or wounded in attempt- 
ing to reach the battalions on the flanks of his own battalion. Corporal Dixon volunteered to lead 
a patrol to establish liaison. In so doing he encountered an enemy machine gun, which he attacked 
and silenced, also successfully accomplishing his mission. 

Corporal John L. Flynn, Company G: 

At Bois de Chaume, October q, iqi8. Corporal Flynn, on his own initiative, advanced by short 
rushes under machine gun and sniper fire to a point where he successfully bombed and silenced a 
machine gun sniper who was holding up the advance of his company. 

Corporal Paul Hobschied, Company C: 

At Chipilly Ridge, Augu.st q, iqiS, Corporal Hobschied, under heavy fire, advanced into a 
hostile sniping post, found and entered a long dugout, and brought out thirty prisoners. 

Corporal Robert P. Howard, Company B: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9, iqi8. Corporal Howard displayed exceptional qualities of heroism 
while in great danger. Although severely wounded in the shoulder by a machine gun bullet, and 
with a piece of shrapnel in his lung, he refused to go back, as most of the noncommissioned officers 
in the company had been killed or wounded and he felt that his services were needed. 

Corporal Frank P. Koerper, Headquarters Company: 

Near Gercourt, September 26, 1918, Corporal Koerper, under heavy machine gun fire, crept 
up to a church and captured four of the enemy who were operating machine guns from that 
building. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



289 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 
Top row: Sergeants James J. Washa, Alvin C. Wiberg, William Woodsmall. 
Second row: Corporals John Beato, Charles H. Boyatt, Nathan M. Curtis. 
Bottom row: Corporals John L. Flynn, Paul Hobschied, Frank P. Koerper. 



290 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

Corporal Nathaniel Lkbcrniau, Company C : 

At Chipilly Ridge, August g, iQiS, Corporal Lieberman displayed unusual gallantry in rushing 
a machine gun nest whose fire was checking the advance. With the assistance of men in his squad 
he put the machine gun out of action and took four prisoners. 

Corporal Stephen M. Mance, Company B: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August lo, iqiS, Corporal Mance, sent out alone to locate snipers, came 
upon a machine gun nest. He boldly attacked it single-handed, capturing the gun, wounding one 
of the crew, and taking three prisoners. 

Corporal John Miles, Company E: 

At Wadonville, November lo, 1918, although suffering from shell concussion, Corporal Miles 
volunteered to go 400 yards in advance of the outpost line and draw fire of an enemy machine gun 
to get the location. He was severely wounded. 

Corporal Gus W. Palubiak, Company H: 

North of Forges Creek, September 26, iqi8. Corporal Palubiak, on his own initiative and in 
the face of heavy machine gun fire, located and disposed of a nest of German machine guns, 
single-handed. His heroic action allowed the entire company to move forward to its objective.. 

Corporal Andrew C. Schabinger, Company E: 

At Hamel, July 4, 1918, although severely wounded at the beginning of the engagement. Cor- 
poral Schabinger continued forward as squad leader, exhibiting great gallantry and setting an in- 
spiring example. 

Corporal Carl Somnitz, Company F: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9, 191 8, when all the runners of his platoon had failed to establish 
liaison with the platoon of the left, Corporal Somnitz succeeded in getting through with a mes- 
sage. On his return trip he was twice wounded but delivered his message before lapsing into un- 
consciousness. 

Corporal James L. Waters, Company C: 

At Gressaire Wood, August 0, 1918, Corporal Waters captured a machine gun alone. It had 
been raking our positions at intervals, causing heavy casualties. He advanced alone, killing two 
men who manned the gun. 

Corporal Lester C. Whitson (deceased), Company E: 

At Hamel, July 4, 1918, although severely wounded at the beginning of the engagement. Cor- 
poral Whitson continued forward as squad leader, exhibiting great gallantry and setting an inspir- 
ing example to his men. 

Mechanic Anton J. Watkin, Com.pany A: 

At Chipilly Ridge and Gressaire Wood, August 9, 1018, at a critical time, when his company 
was out of ammunition. Mechanic Watkin volunteered to take an ammunition party to an un- 
known position in the rear. Though this ground was continually shelled, the party went on through, 
secured the ammunition and returned just at the time when the enemy was about to launch a 
counterattack. This new supply of ammunition enabled the Illinois men to ward off the attack. 

Private (First-Class) Harry E. Hampel, Company C: 

During the Gressaire Wood and Chipilly Ridge action, August o. 1018, Private Hample showed 
great courage and devotion to duty by carrying messages through heavy machine gun and shell fire. 

Private (First-Class) Archie Timblin, Company F: 

In the attack on Butgneville, November 11, 1918, after meeting with stubborn resistance, 
which caused his company to withdraw, Private Timblin advanced toward the enemy's lines and 
brought back some seriously wounded comrades. He did this under heavy machine gun and 
artillerv fire. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



291 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 
Top row: Corporals Nathaniel Lieberman, Stephen M. Mance, Gus W. Palubiak. 
Second row: Corporals Andrew C. Schabinger, Carl Somnitz, James L. Waters. 
Bottom row: Mechanic A. J. Watkin. First Class Privates Harry Hampel, Archie Timblin 



292 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

Priavte (First-ClassJ Steve Zappa, Company C: 

Near Chipilly Ridge, August 10-19, 1918, Private Zappa volunteered for dangerous missions, 
carrying messages through heavy machine gun and shell fire. He displayed great courage in ac- 
complishing these tasks. 

Private William A. Anderson, Company B : 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9, 1918, Private Anderson rendered service as stretcher-bearer under 
heavy shell fire, continuing on duty forty-eight hours until complete exhaustion compelhd bim to 
be evacuated. 

Private Charles C. Bark, Company C : 

At Gressairc Wood, on August 9 and 10, iqi8, Private Bark, being detailed as a scout, went in 
advance of his platoon and rendered invaluable service during the battle. Although exposed to 
machine gun fire, he carefully pointed out the enemy's machine gun positions, making it possible 
for his platoon commander to propierly direct the fire of the platoon and advance without 
casualties. 

Private Michael Biertya (deceased), Company M : 

Near Bois dHarville, November 10, 1918, Private Biertya advanced under heavy machine 
gun fire through forty feet of wire entanglements, hacking his way with his bayonet, so his platoon 
could pass through. He was mortally wounded. 

Private Frank Bremner, Company G: 

At Gressaire Wood and Chipilly Ridge, August 0, lOiS, Private Bremner, single-handed, worked 
around behind a machine gun nest, took the gunners prisoners, and captured the gun. This act 
allowed the advance to continue. This was accomplished in the face of heavy machine gun and 
artillery fire. 

Private Sven Carlson, Company M : 

In the Meuse-Argonne offensive September 26. 1918, Private Carlson left the line, being held 
up by fire from three machine guns, and, with one sergeant and two privates, crawled across an 
open field and flanked the guns, killing seven of the enemy and capturing twenty-three. 

Private Hugh A. Deasey (deceased). Company F: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9, IQ18, Private Deasey, acting on h;s own initiative, advanced alone 
against a machine gun nest that had been causing heavy casualties. He crawled to within a short 
distance of the position before he was detected. He then rushed the post and bayoneted the three 
gunners, being himself killed in the encounter. 

Private Christopher C. Dunne, Company D : 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 0, 1918, in an attack on a machine gun nest Private Dunne bay- 
oneted the gunner and captured four of the crew. Although wounded. Private Dunne showed 
great devotion to duty by remaining with his squad until the line was consolidated. 

Private Daniel S. Flagg, Company M : 

In the Meuse-Argonne offensive September 26, 1918, Private Flagg, with three others, crawled 
out about 200 yards across an open field, which was swept by very severe fire, and flanked three 
machine gun posts, killing seven men and capturing twenty-three. This was done in the face of 
heavy machine gun and artillery fire. 

Private George F. Gaston, Company H: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9, 191 8, Private Gaston, after being severely wounded by shrapnel, 
showed the greatest courage by continuing to advance upon a machine gun emplacement, keeping 
the gun occupied and thereby enabling a detachment to flank the position and capture it. 

Private Leon M. Hanna, Company D : 

In Consenvoye Wood, October 10, 1918, Private Hanna, when his platoon was suffering severe 
casualties and was being held up by terrific fire from a hidden machine gun post, advanced alone 
and by the use of his bayonet subdued the gunners, capturing two of them, and enabling the pla- 
toon to advance. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



293 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 
Top row: First Class Private Steve Zappa, Privates William A- Anderson Syen Carlson. 
Second row: Privates Hugh A. Deasey, Christopher C. Dunne Daniel S Flagg. 
Bottom row: Privates Leon M. Hanna, Harry W. Heacox, Edward Herter. 



294 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

Private Harry W . Ilcacox, Company 1: 

Near Bois d'Harvillc, November lo, 1918, Private Heacox, after performing several dangerous 
missions as a company runner, volunteered to go forward with an officer to attack a machine gun 
nest which was causing heavy casualties. Though the officer was killed Heacox captured the nest, 
took command of the company on his own initiative, and carried it forward to its objective. 

Private Edward Herter, Company M: 

Near Bois d'Harville, November 10, 1918, Private Herter, on his own initiative, left shelter and 
crossed ground swept by machine gun fire to rescue a wounded comrade. Though himself severely 
wounded, he succeeded in carrying the wounded comrade back to his own lines. 

Private Albert Holmes, Company H: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9, 1918, after six runners had been killed or wounded in an attempt 
to establish liaison with battalion headquarters, Private Holmes volunteered for the hazardous 
duty and succeeded in getting through heavy shell fire. 

Private Percy Jones (deceased). Company B: 

Near Consenvove, October 10, 1918, after two stretcher-bearers had been killed and one severely 
wounded in the attempt 10 rescue Lieutenant Broche, who had been severely wounded, Private 
Jones volunteered and carried him in from his perilous position. Private Jones was killed a 
little later. 

Private Christopher W. Keane, Medical Detachment: 

At Hamel, July 4, 191 8, Private Keane displayed great gallantry and devotion to duty by 
treating the wounded in an area swept by machine gun and artillery fire. When two stretcher- 
bearers working with him were killed, he impressed two German prisoners into the service of carry- 
ing wounded to the aid station. 

Private Easter E. Keeper, Company L: 

At Bois d'Harville, November 10, 1918, when volunteers for cutting lanes through wide belts 
of wire several feet in front of the lines were called for, Private Keeper went out alone, at j^reat 
personal risk, to perform the duty and enable the lines to advance. 

Private Frank F. Kostak, Company H: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9, 191 8, single-handed. Private Kostak, with great gallantry, 
attacked a machine gun position, capturing two machine guns and seven prisoners. 

Private Arthur Krueger, Company B: 

Near Consenvoye, October 9, 1918, while his platoon was halted by murderous fire. Private 
Krueger crawled from a shell hole and made his way forward to the aid of a wounded comrade. 
On the way he was wounded but continued on until he had dressed the wounds of his comrade. 
He then insisted on walking to the dressing station to have his own wounds treated. 

Private Edward Lidivell, Company H: 

Near Bois de Chaume, October 9, 1918, advancing single-handed against a machine gun. Private 
Lidwell put it out of action, killing its crew of three and preventing an enfilading fire on the com- 
pany, thus saving many lives. 

Private Pagnel Liljeberg, Company D: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9-1 1, 1918, Private Liljeberg, being on duty as a runner, carried 
messages under heavy shell and machine gun fire. Owing to casualties he did the work of six 
runners, proving himself to be a man of unusual gallantry and devotion to duty. 

Private Robert W. Lindsay, Company B : 

Near Consenvoye, October 9, 191 8, when his platoon was held up by an enemy pillbox, and 
when, in the attempt to notify the company commander, two runners were wounded. Private 
Lindsay volunteered to carry out this duty and while doing so was himself severely wounded. 

Private William F. Linzky, Company E: 

At Hamel, July 4, 1918, Private Linzky was severely wounded in the arm by shrapnel at the 
beeinning of the battle. Nevertheless he carried his automatic rifle forward and used it effectively. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



295 




PRIVATES WHO WERE AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 
Top row- Albert Holmes. Christopher W. Keane, Easter E. Keeper. 
Second row: Frank F. Kostak. Arthur Krueger, Edward Lidwell 
Bottom row: Pagnel Liljeberg, John C. Mallan, Charles W. Michaellis. 



296 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

Private John C. Mallan, Company H : 

Near Chipilly Ridge, August q, iqi8, Private Mallan worked out far ahead of the lines and 
killed four Germans and brought back three prisoners, one of them an officer. Later he formed 
one of a raiding party and displayed marked skill and bravery, aiding in the capture of fourteen 
prisoners. Both of these missions were carried out under heavy machine gun and artillery fire. 

Private Charles W. MichaeUis, Company E: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August lo, 1918, Private MichaeUis showed gallantry in attacking a ma- 
chine gun nest with his platoon sergeant, killing the crew and capturing the gun, which he used 
later effectively against the enemy. 

Private Leon H. McBreen, Company M: 

In the Meuse-Argonne offensive, September 26, 1918, Private McBreen and three comrades, 
on their own initiative, crawled across an open field and captured three machine gun posts, killing 
seven men and capturing twenty-three. 

Private Adolph Nelson, Company H: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9, 1918, Private Nelson, although wounded, went out on his own 
initiative, armed with an automatic rifle, and mopped out a machine gun nest in which there were 
three guns, killing four of the enemy and bringing back the rest as prisoners. He did this under 
heavy fire and became so weak from the loss of blood that his comrades thought that he would 
not be able to reach the post. 

Private William Peters, Company I: 

At Bois de Chaume, October 9, 1918, when the advance of his platoon was held up by a 
machine gun, Private Peters, on his own initiative, flanked the position, killed the gunner, and 
captured the rest of the crew, thereby allowing the platoon to advance. 

Private Willard Petty, Company B: 

North of Consenvoye, October 10, 1918, Private Petty, on his own initiative, jumped to the 
rescue of his comrade and platoon leader, who lay fallen in a zone of murderous fire. He did this 
after two comrades had been killed and one wounded in the attempt to do the same thing. 

Private Walter Potter, Company L: 

At Bois d'Harville, November 10, 1918, Private Potter volunteered and crawled out in the 
face of heavy enemy fire to attack a machine gun nest. He killed the four members of the enemy 
crew, inspiring the men serving with him by his example of heroism. 

Private Horace Smotherman, Company F: 

Between Drillancourt and Gercourt, September 26, 1918, when his company was advancing 
up the valley, it was held up for awhile by the fire of snipers. Private Smotherman went forward 
alone and destroyed this troublesome post of snipers by killing them with a hand grenade. He 
did this on his own initiative and under heavy machine gun and artillery fire. 

Private Gordon Wickham, Headquarters Company: 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 11, 1918, Private Wickham was on duty with a carrying party 
which was severely shelled and gassed while passing through Gressaire Wood. He made repeated 
trips into the wood and rescued wounded soldiers. 

Private William J . Williams, Company E: . 

At Chipilly Ridge, August 9, 1918, Private Williams, acting as company runner, carried mes- 
sages through withering fire to advanced posts. He did this disregarding the fact that he had 
previously been severely wounded, though he had refused to make his plight known to his com- 
pany officer. After accomplishing this heroic deed, he was immediately evacuated to a hospital. 

Private Dickson Woodivard. Company A: 

At Malard Wood, August 9, 1918, Private Woodward showed great skill in securing liaison 
during the battle and also after the objective was reached. His fine example to the men about him 
inspired them and kept up their spirits. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



297 




PRIVATES WHO WERE AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 
Top row : Leon H. McBreen, William Peters, Willard Petty. 
Second row: Walter Potter, Horace Smotherman. 
Bottom row: Gordon Wickham, William J. Williams, Dickson Woodward. 



298 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 131ST INFANTRY WHO WERE CITED FOR GALLANTRY 
BY GENERAL PERSHING AND GENERAL BELL 

* Received citation only from General Pershing. 

t Received citations both from General Bell and General Pershing. 

All others were cited only by General Bell. 



Colonel 

* Joseph B. Sanborn 

Major 

Francis M. Allen 

Captains 

t Carroll M. Gale 

* Walter H. Magner 

t George N. Malstrom 
Willam R. Mangum 
t Louis E. Preston 
t John M. Richmond 
t William Wilson 

First Lieutenants 
tElden L. Belt 
t Walter C. Bisson 
Frank DeVaney 
Harrison A. Diclison 
t Raymond E. Fiedler 
t Harry E. Hackett 
t John R. Marchant 
t Norman A. Schwald 

Second Lieutenants 

t Richard H. Buvcns, Jr. 
Henry J. Dick 
Julian L. Douglas 
Paul F. Hunnewell 

t William A. Joos 
Charles E. Lee 

t Raymond P. Lewis 
Halton N. Nichols 

t George W. Sherwood 
Samuel Silverman 

t Frank C. Tillson 

t Francis W. Whitney 

Chaplain 

t Thomas R. Egerton 

Sergeant Majors 

Axel T. Erickson 
Arthur E. Owen 

First Sergeants 

James Jackson 
t Garrett Mook 

Fred O. Prescot 
t Leigh S. Taylor 

Sergeants 

t Martin S. Baker 

George E. Bailie 

t Robert P. Backstrom 



Frank J. Callahan 
t William Davidson 
tjohn P. Deal 

Frank D. Dore 
t .Arthur D. Dyas 
t Martin W. Garvey 

George A. Grotty 
t Arthur J. Gunderson 
George W. Hall 
Harvie A. Harris 
Ernest L. Heide 
Swan E. Johnson 
Virgil E. Johnson 
Robert M. Knight 
Stanley Lanferski 
*Adolph P. Kutz 
t Albert G. Lemmon 
t Howard T. Lindsay 
Donald J. Mcintosh 
Holly Midkiff 
t Edgar M. Morris 
Elmer P. Nagel 

* Walter G. Peabody 
Earl H. Perkins 

* John C. Perrie 

* Van Walker Peterson 

* William Piepho 

* Louis R. Rivers 
James J. Rochfort 
Leonard A. Runyan 

*Adolph P. Rutz 

* Wiliiam Scholes 
t Jackson J. Sells 

Vivian Skogsburg 
t John E. Soens 

Herman C. Slocum 

Joseph F. Trahan 

Otto Vanek 

Peter Virgin 
t Harry C. Wesche 

Ernest H. Wilcox 

Anton R. Wingerter 

( orporals 

Frank J. Allison 
t Martin Banks 
Charles R. Boyatt 
James Brado 
Irving Brockman 
' William C. Buxton 
Charles O. Crews 
Roy T. Dixon 
Earlv R. Eakin 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



299 



Roy Erickson 
t Sol C. Fairman 
John L. Fichter, Jr. 
Robert Franken 
Harry G. Fulton 
Robert Gentry 
t Edward W. Ivvicki 
t Walter N. Larson 
t Jacob Wilbur Loh 
t Axel M. Madsen 
Mike L. Mahoncy 
Walter H. Mann 
David McKcnzic 
Victor O. McLeary 

* Thos. R. McNamara 
Dominic L. Mercatoris 

t Frank L. Mills 
John J. Murray 
Gus W. Palubiack 
Peter Polios 

* Raymond H. Powell 
t James S. Sneed 

Earl W. Storey 
Herman C. Tessman 
John C. Vanloon 
John S. Wadena 
Perry A. Walker 
Daniel L. Waters 
James L. Waters 

Bugler 

William J. Gordon 

]\'(t!;oner 

James W. Iiilton 
t Alfred Lathrop 

Mechanic 

William A. Dodder 
t Ladislaus Hoffman 

* Anton J. Watkin 

Privates, First Class 

Robert B. Anderson 

t Charles I. Baker 
Joseph W. Carroway 

t William Curr 
Harry A. Dahl 

t Mason L. Ellis 
Harry E. Hample 
Joseph P. Hannan 
John Hertel 
James T. Hunt 
George A. McGregor 
Joseph Neazbe 
Otto Pearson 
Mason M. Randle 

t Charles L. Russell 

t John S. Swanson 

* Oscar Tingsbad 

t Fred C. Trautman 



LeRoy H. Tucker 
Frederick H. Turner 
Steve Zappa 

Privates 

Edward S. Anderson 
t Charles C. Bark 
t Alfred H. Beck 

Martin N. Berg 
t Richard H. Bingham 
t Philip J. Boening 

Han Bredal 

Theophilus Brabec 

Alfred B. Briggs 
t Isador Bro 

John Buechner 

Adolph P. Butz 

Walter Carroll 

Stanley Cieslak 
t Leonard C. Clayton 

Dennis B. Cloonan 
t Julius Cohen 

Fenn H. Cooney 

Oril B. Curry 

William H. Cross 

Hubert A. Deasey 

Frank E. Dillion 
t Sam Du Bonnis 
t Paul J. Dona van 

Elmer E. Drake 

Frank Dunnett 
t Constantino D. Economas 

John Evangelistea 

Daniel S. Flagg 
t Vinacezo Furforo 

Ignatz P. Golla 

Jerome E. Gorman 

William Gossell 

George C. Halverson 

Edward Hart man 

Harry S. Hescox 

Steven Hcznicki 

John J. Hoban 

Carey D. Holbrook 

Alton Horton 

Isadore Horwitz 
t Frank A. Jakutis 
t Mounce Johnson 

Arthur J. Jones 

Leroy Kent 

Wi'liam T. Kerstein 

George F. Kirby 

Albert Klatt 

Frank Kulpit 
t Harry Laird 

Harold J. Larsen 
t David T. Leahy 

Loren Leitman 

Frank Leslie 

Michael Lettiere 



300 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Oscar L. Lewis 

Robert W. Lindsay 

Anthony Fino 

David Madison 

William C. Mathison 

Pete McHigh 

Thomas R. McNamara 

Frank Mielnicky 

Willrid Moran 
t Charles J. Norman 

Hjalmar Olsen 

Walter A. Olson 

John Olszyk 

Walter Potter 
t Ray Redding 

Guiseppe Riccioni 
t William E. Rosselle 

Mac M. Roy 



Fred Schnitheer 
t Harry Stokes 
t Francis H. Southern 

* Matthew P. Thornycraft 
t Jerry Vana 

t Victor Vanyek 
Peter Weis 
Richard B. Welch 
George Welk 
Henry White 
Frank J. Wilcox 
Will J. Williams 

* Dickson A. Woodward 
Ignatz Wunk 
Garrett Vanderlee 
Commodore Van Winkle 
Isaac Zuckelman 



CERTIFICATES FOR ESPECIALLY MERITORIOUS AND CONSPICUOUS SERVICE WERE 
AWARDED BY GENERAL PERSHING TO THE FOLLOWING: 



Captain 

William R. Mangum, M. C. 
Sergeant 

Harvie A. Harris 



Private, First Class 

LeRoy H. Tucker, Headquarters Company 



ROSTER OF OFFICERS 131ST INFANTRY WHO ARRIVED IN FRANCE WITH UNIT 

MAY 30, 1918 



Colonel 

Joseph B. Sanborn 

Lieutenant Colonel 
James M. Eddy 

Majors 

Francis M. Allen 

George C. Amerson, M. C. 

Edward Bittel 

Harry E. Cheney 

Paul C. Gale 

Frederick E. Haines 

Walter H. Magner 

William R. Mangum, M. C. 

John M. Richmond 

Captains 

Walter C. Bisson, M. C. 

Melvin W. Bridges 

Edgar J. Emerich 

Raymond F. Fiedler 

Carroll M. Gale 

Henry A. Gano 

Nathan J. Harkness 

William Y. Hendron (later Major) 

Michael N. Hickey 

Walter H. Holden, D. C. 

Edwin S. Hopps 

David H. James, M. C. 

James W. Luke 



George N. Malstrom 

Walter W. Marr 

Edwin E. McKernan 

James D. Melville 

George R. Miller 

Charles N. Neal 

Herbert Pease, M. C. 

Charles M. Porter 

Louis E. Preston (deceased) 

Henry N. Pride 

Norman A. Schwald, M. C. 

George F. Scott 

Severra A. Stenson 

James C. Stockwell 

Joseph E. Schantz 

Charles F. Tapper 

Herman H. Weimer 

William M. Wilson 

First Lieutenants 

Edmund A. Bachand 
Arthur H. Bamforth 
Julius V. Becker 
Lawrence E. Beebe 
Elden L. Belt 
Ernest C. Borchardt 
Henry S. Bottomley 
James E. Brooks 
Leon L. Brown 
Thomas V. Casey 
James W. Clarke 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



301 




CAPTAINS OF THE 131ST INFANTRY 
Top row: Walter C. Bi?son, Melvin W. Bridges, Edgar J. Emerich, Raymond F. Fiedler. 
Second row: Carroll M. Gale, Henry A. Gano. Nathan J. Harkness, William Y. Hendron. 
Third row: Michael N. Hickey, Walter H. Holden, Edwin S. Hopps, David H. James. 
Bottom row: Robert J. Jordan, George N. Malstrom, Walter W. Marr, James D. Melville. 



302 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Alfred N. Clissold 

Virsil E. Code 

Walter H. Cohrs 

George A. Crafton 

Herbert B. Crow 

Charles L. Daniels, D. C. 

Samuel C. Davis 

Herbert C. DeBruyn 

Frank DeVaney (deceased) 

Harrison A. Dickson (deceased) 

Thomas R. Egerton, Chaplain 

Frank G. Fitzpatrick 

Frank E. Frisbie 

Herman B. Gengenbach 

George W. Grace 

Harry E. Hackett (deceased) 

Allen F. Helsten 

Verne Hayes 

John W. Heyl 

Joseph R. Holt 

Frank A. Johnson 

Albert G. Jefferson 

Charles T. Keating 

Thomas J. Kennedy 

Harold H. King 

Arthur R. Koepke 

Albert W. Kuehne 

Arthur A. Langlund 

John C. Lee (deceased) 

Bert Lyon (later Captain) 

John R. Marchant (deceased) 

Daniel C. McGuire 

Glenn E. Murphy 

Daniel J. O'Malley 

Elmer R. Plummer 

Edward L. Reusnow 

George F. Schmidt 

William J. Schultz 



l>avi<i W. Shari) 
John W. Slack 
Harold M. Snyder 
Victor Stern 
Fred W. Swafford 
Walter C. Thompson 
Lawrence W. Westerman 
Howard H. Williams 
Otto A. Wurl (later Captain) 
Ernest A. Zust 

Second Lieutenants 
Ralph Davies 
Herbert S. Davies 
Walter J. Deal 
Edmund A. Duffett 
Clarence W. Fisher 
Herrick R. Goodwillie 
Jesse B. Griffith 
George W. Hall 
Edward F. Hamilton 
Robert C. Hanson 
W. Ivison 
Walter M. Larson 
Raymond P. Lewis 
Glenn H. Lyon 
John W. McCann 
Charles S. Miller 
Stewart A. Muschott 
Elmer C. Nelson 
Halton N. Nichols 
Ralph T. Patterson 
Earl H. Perkins 
John P. Peters 
Jackson J. Sells 
F. H. Sexauer 
John T. Warren 
Arthur Zobel 



ROSTER OF OFFICERS 131ST INFANTRY ASSIGNED AND ATTACHED IN FRANCE 

AFTER MAY 30, loiS 



L'eiitenant Colonel 

Wallace H. Whigam 

Majors 

John R. Coady 
Matt L. Higbee 
Hamlet C. Ridgway 
>'ester J. Thompson 

Captains 

Herbert E. Algeo 
Edward H. Brian 
Oscar J. Dorman 
Maurice F. Geehan, M. C. 
Oscar G. Holm 
Robert J. Jordan 
Campbell G. Tipton, D. C. 
Denzil B. Walters 



First Lieutenants 
J. C. Acuff 
Vane Beaman 
Frank B. Cole 
Patrick Cronin 
Henry J. Dick 
Julian L. Douglas 
George M. Dunford 
Hugh Durkin 
Emmons K. Emerson 
Sidney D. Emerson 
Walter C. Foster 
Christian J. Frank 
Raymond I. Gleason 
Fred H. Gray 
Kenneth C. King 
Edward A. Loehr (Chaplain) 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



303 




CAPTAINS AND FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE 131ST INFANTRY 
Top row: Captains Bertram Buchanan, Maurice F. Geehan, George R. Miller, Herbert Pease, 
Second row: Captains Charles M. Porter, Louis E. Preston, Norman A. Schwald, S. A. Stenson. 
Third row: Captains J. C. Stockvvell, C. F. Tapper, Campbell G. Tipton, Lieutenant H. E. Hackett. 
Bottom row: Lieutenants Frank DeVaney, John R. Marchant, Wm. E. Simpson, Milton E. Wilson. 



304 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Ernest H. Marriner (Chaplain) 

Alexander G. Miller 

Guy A. Moore 

Robert E. O'Dea 

Clare Purcell 

Fred L. Rindkliff 

Walker A. Sanborn 

William Cary Sanger, Jr. 

Carroll D. Schnepp 

Oliver J. Sheehy 

William E. Simpson (deceased) 

Richard A. Storrs 

Robert S. Thornburg 

LeRoy Weyrick 

John M. White 

Milton E. Wilson (deceased) 

Evan A. Woodward 

Second Lieutenants 
Frank C. Albright 
Walton U. Beauvais 
Rudolph L. Bosselman 
J. Wilmen Brewer 
Benjamin A. Brown 
William L. Brown 
J R. Burns 
Charles F. Butler 
Richard H. Buvens, Jr. 
Luther H. Clayton 
Thomas K. Cobb 
H. M. Cohen 
Bernard A. Cruse 
Wallace H. Daggett 
E. W. Dalheim 
Morris E. Dent 
David O. Edes (deceased) 
Henry Fillingham 
Hyman Freiberg (deceased) 
T. B. Freund 
Howard J. Frisbey 
Jesse R. Frye 
Morris Goldstein 
Thomas S. Guilfoyle 
Andrew C. Haig 
Burl S. Hall 
George W. Hall 
Robert K. HaU 



Harold A. Harding 

Donald Heffron 

Lee R. Hill 

Benjamin P. Hinkle 

George S. Holm 

Harding F. Horton (deceased) 

John A. Howard 

Paul A. Hunnewell 

Harold C. Hunter 

Kenneth M. Jackson 

William A. Joos (deceased) 

Benjamin W. Kanter 

J. J. Kenny 

George K. Knight 

Robert W. Lane 

Fred F. Laxdal 

Roscoe C. Long 

Elton J. Mansell 

George J. May 

Sidney C. McGuire 

D. E. Mitchell 

Everett Noble 

Julian Norton 

Rene W. Pinto 

Harry F. Postal 

Matthew J. Powell 

Daniel S. Robinson 

Edw. S. Sanderson 

Wesley S. Sawyer 

Henry Schmitt 

Maurice V. Schrauer (deceased) 

J. P. Sherlock 

George S. Sherwood 

S. Silverman 

Arthur J. Smith 

John G. Spencer 

Walter Spencer 

Carl J. Staib 

J. J. Swift 

Isaac H. Tartt 

Frank Tillson 

Louis Tishman 

Harry Wellbank 

Robert T. Westman (deceased) 

Francis W. Whitney (deceased) 

Frank T. Wilson 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



30s 




FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE 131ST INFANTRY 
Top row: Julius V. Becker, Lawrence E. Beebe, Henry S. Bottomley, Ernest C. Borchardt. 
Second row: Arthur T. Broche, Thomas V. Casey, Alfred N. Clissold, Patrick Cronin. 
Third row: Herbert B. Crow, Samuel C. Davis, Herbert C. DeBruyn, Henry J. Dick. 
Bottom row: G. M. Dunford, Emmons K. Emerson, Sidney D. Emerson, Frank G. Fitzpatrick. 



3o6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE 131ST INFANTRY 
Top row: Chiislian J. Frank, Frank E. Frisbie, Herman B. Gen<;cnbach, Raymond I. Gleason. 
Second row: George W. Grace, Fred H. Gray, John Heyl, Verne Hayes. 
Third row: Joseph R. Holt, Thomas J. Kennedy, Charles T. Keating, Kenneth C. King. 
Fourth row: Arthur R. Koepke, A. G. Miller, Glenn E. Murphy, Robert E. O'Dea. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



307 




FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE 131ST INFANTRY 
Top row: Daniel J. O'Malley, E. R. Plummer, Edward L Reusnow, Fred L. Rindkliff. 
Second row: William C. Sanger, Jr., Geo. F. Schmidt, Carroll D. Schnepp, William J. Schultz. 
Third row: John W. Slack, Harold M. Snyder, Victor Stern, Richard A. Storrs. 
Fourth row: Fred Swafford, Walter C. Thompson, Robert S. Thornburgh, LeRoy Weyrick. 



3o8 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE 131ST INFANTRY 
Top row: Vane Beaman, James E. Brooks, Virgil E. Code, Walter H. Cohrs. 
Second row. Charles L. Daniels, Julian L. Douglas, Thomas R. Egerton, Walter C. Foster. 
Third row: Edward A. Loehr, Bert Lyon, Daniel C. McGuire, Clare Purcell. 
Bottom row: John M. White, Howard H. Williams, Otto A. Wurl, Ernest A. Zust. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



309 




SECOND LIEUTENANTS OF THE 131ST INFANTRY 
Top row: Frank C. Albright, George W. Hall, J. Wilmen Brewer, Benjamin A. Brown. 
Second row: Richard H. Buvens, Jr., Thomas K. Cobb, Herbert S. Davies. 
Third row: Walter J. Deal, Morris E. Dent, Edmund A. Duffett, Howard J. Frisbey. 
Bottom row: Jesse R. Frye, Morris Goldstein, Thomas S. Guilfoyle, Burl S. Hall. 



310 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 





^^^^H 

^^m 


5 






SECOND LIEUTENANTS OF THE 131ST INFANTRY 
Top row: Edward F. Hamilton, Harold A. Harding, Lee R. Hill, Paul F. Hunnewell. 
Second row: W. Ivison, Walter N. Larson, Fred F. Laxdal. 

Third row : Raymond P. Lewis, Glenn H. Lyon, John W. McCann, Elton J. Mansell. 
Fourth row : Stewart A. Muschott, Ralph f. Patterson, John P. Peters, Matthew J. Powell. 



THE 131ST INFANTRY 



311 




SECOND LIEUTENANTS OF THE 131ST INFANTRY 
Top row: Benjamin P. Hinkle, George S. Holm, William A. Joos, Daniel S. Robinson. 
Second row: Wesley S. Sawyer, Maurice V. Schrauer, George S. Sherwood. 
Third row: Carl J. Staib, Isaac H. Tartt, Frank Tillson. 
Bottom row: Louis Tishman, Harry Wellbank, Francis W. Whitney, Arthur Zobel. 



312 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




COLONEL ABEL DAVIS ' 
Commander of the 132nd Infantry. 




LOOKING TOWARD CONSENVOYE FROM THE BOIS DE FORGES 



The 132nd Infantry 

COLONEL ABEL DAVIS, EDITOR 
BY CAPTAIN A. V. BECKER, REGIMENTAL ADJUTANT 

HE regiment which fought on the Somme, in the 
Meuse-Argonne campaign, and in the valley of the 
Woevre, as the 132nd U. S. Infantry was originally 
the Second Infantry, Illinois National Guard, an 
organization whose history goes back almost to the 
Civil War. When the Illinois National Guard an- 
swered the President's call in the spring of 191 7, 
no regiment had a better record than that of the 
Second. And during all of its World War service 
the 132nd fought with a gallantry that was quite 
in keeping with the traditions of the regiment. 

The Second Infantry was organized early in 
1875, when anarchistic outbreaks in Chicago re- 
vived the interest in m.ilitary affairs which had waned after the Civil War. 
The First Illinois had just been formed. The Second, a regiment of six com- 
panies, was made up of Irish-American veterans from such famous Civil War 
organizations as the Irish Rifles, the Mulligan Zouaves, the Montgomery 
Guards, the Clan-na-Gael Guards and the Irish Legion. 

James Quirk, who had served in the Civil War with the Twenty-third 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was selected to command the regiment with the 
rank of major. Prominent Chicagoans gave their support to the unit, en- 
abling it to secure an armory at Jackson and Canal streets. 

313 




314 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



The regiment had hardly been estabhshed in its new quarters when the 
historic "railroad riots" broke out. The Second was sent to the most dan- 
gerous riot areas in Chicago, and suppressed disorder with praiseworthy thor- 
oughness. Similar service was rendered in November, 1886, when rioting 
occurred at the Chicago stockyards. Four cavalry troops were added to the 
regiment in 1887. Two years later Louis S. Judd was elected colonel, a signal 
company was organized, and the regiment entered upon an era of prosperity. 
Riots at Lemont in 1893 gave the Second another tour of duty, and in July 
of the following year renewed disorder at the stockyards brought something 
like war service, in which several men were killed. 

The summons for service in the Spanish-American War came on May 16, 
1898. Under the command of Colonel George M. Moulton the regiment went 
first to Springfield, then to Camp Cuba Libra, Florida, and finally to Havana. 
Colonel Moulton was given command of the Cuban forces patrolling the cap- 
ital, and the Second assisted in the guard duty. It participated in the rais- 
ing of the American flag over Moro Castle and the surrender of Santa Clara 
province to the United States. The regiment left Havana early in April, the 
only regiment to quit Cuba without having lost a man, and was mustered 
out on April 29, 1899. 

A little later Colonel Moulton was succeeded by Colonel James E. Stuart, 
under whose administration the Second took part in the Louisiana Purchase 
Exposition at St. Louis in 1904 and engaged in war maneuvers with regular 
army troops at Fort Benjamin Harrison in 1906. 

Major John J. Garrity, who had enhsted in the regiment as a private 
in 1889, was elected colonel in July, 1907. Under his command the Second 




AFTER THE FAT MEN'S RACE AT CAMP CUBA LIBRA 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



315 




COLONEL JOHN J. GARRITY 

Commander of the old Second. 



maintained the efficiency for 
which it was famous, and won 
commendation for the excellent 
manner in which it patrolled the 
"bad lands" of Springfield dur- 
ing the race riots there in August, 
1908. 

Colonel Garrity was still in 
command when the regiment was 
called out in the summer of 1916 
for service on the Mexican bor- 
der. He and his men were mus- 
tered into the federal service on 
June 19, and entrained a few 
weeks later for Camp Wilson, 
Texas. The regiment remained 
there, undergoing intensive train- 
ing in preparation for action, un- 
til September i, when the dan- 
ger of war with Mexico appar- 
ently had passed. It returned to 
Illinois and was mustered out on 

October 5, more fit and efficient than it had ever been — a fact which was to 
prove of great importance a few months later. 

When the United States declared the existence of a state of war with 
Germany, the Second was ready, and it anxiously awaited the mobilization 
order which came finally in June, 1917. When called to the colors the regi- 
ment had approximately i.ioo men on its rolls. Voluntary enlistments had 
increased the number to 1,800 by the time the Thirty-third Division was 
organized at Camp Logan. During the training period drafts brought the 
regiment to its war strength of 3,500 men. 

At Camp Logan the old Second Illinois passed into history and the 132nd 
United States Infantry was born. Major Abel Davis of the 131st Infantry 
was promoted to a colonelcy and assigned to lead the regiment in its over- 
seas career. Vigorous training in all the phases of trench fighting gradually 
put the 132nd in excellent condition. By May, 191 8, it was fit and eager 
for active service. 

Orders to leave Camp Logan came late in May. The 132nd entrained, 
moved to Hoboken, N. J., and there boarded the transport Mount Vernon, 
formerly the Kronprinzessin Cecilie. The Mount Vernon sailed May 24, and 
the passage was made in six days, without incident. On May 30 the regi- 
ment debarked at Brest and established itself in the famous Pontanezen bar- 
racks. The quarters had not been completely fitted up, but the men made 
themselves as comfortable as possible. 

Moving orders w^ere shortly received, and the 132nd proceeded with the 



31 6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




COLONEL GARRITY AND A GROUP OF OFFICERS AT CAMP LOGAN 



other infantry units of the division to an area then in British hands. Regi- 
mental headcjuarters were estabHshed in the town of Allery, the men being 
billeted there and in neighboring villages. British officers directed a brief 
course of training in the finer points of trench fighting. Then the regiment 
moved to Molliens-au-Bois, camping in the woods near the front line. The 
Fourth Australian Brigade was holding the sector. Between the Illinoisans 
and the ''Aussies" a friendship, soon to be cemented in battle, was formed. 

The joint battle, 
giving the 132nd its 
first experience under 
fire, came, appropriately 
enough, on July 4. 
Companies A and G 
were sent into the line, 
with the Australians and 
with Companies C and E 
of the 131st Infantry 
to participate in an at- 
tack upon the town 
of Hamel. Vaire Wood 
and Hamel, held by the 

THE CENTURY-OLD BARRACKS AT PONTANEZEN ^ r j 

_,, , , , 1 u • .1 1 e ,u f Germans, formed a sa- 

Thesc stone barracks were built in the days of the great , , ,. 1 • 1 

Napoleon. licnt m the line to which 




THE 132ND INFANTRY 



317 



the British had withdrawn in the retreat that commenced March 21. The 
existence of the sahent was a menace to the whole sector, and its reduction 
was the object of the attack. 

The two companies of the 132nd moved into the Hne on the 3rd. They 
attacked at 3 a. m. on Independence Day, under the protection of a creep- 
ing artillery barrage. The barrage was heavy, but it fell short, causing cas- 
ualties in the forming-up line and doing little damage to the enemy's wire. 
As soon as it lifted, however, the attacking waves advanced, cutting their 
own way through the entanglements in the face of deadly machine gun fire. 

In the first trench the enemy was encountered in force and resisted 
stubbornly. Hand-to-hand fighting in which the Americans used bayonets 




ON A HIKE NEAR CAMP LOGAN 



and hand grenades with fearful effect cleared the trench at Inst, and the 
troops pushed forward again, followed by tanks. At the Vaire Trench the 
enemy again attempted to make a stand but was dislodged with bayonets 
and bombs after a desperate struggle. 

The tanks assisted in the destruction of machine gun nests as the at- 
tacking lines swept on toward the objectives, and little determined resistance 
was met by the infantry. The first objective, 1,200 yards from the jumping- 
off place, was reached at 4 a. m. The line halted for ten minutes while the 
assaulting waves were reorganized and the tanks caught up. Then the at- 
tack was resumed. An hour later the final objective had been reached, and 
the troops dug themselves in. 

The Germans were strong in the positions opposite the new line, how- 
ever, and kept up a telling fire from machine gun nests. One machine gun. 



3i; 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



hidden on a sunken road 200 yards to the right front, did especial damage 
until Lieutenant Harry Yagle and Sergeant Frank A. Koijane rushed out 
with two Australian soldiers and silenced it. 

Private Harry Shelly of Company A disposed of a dangerous German 
sniping post by advancing with an Australian soldier and capturing eight of 
the crew. Another machine gun was captured by Corporal John DeSmidt of 
Company A. With an Australian he crept up to the position, overpowered 
the gunners and made the prisoners carry the gun to the Allies' line. 

Such instances of personal heroism revealed the spirit with which the 
men of the 132nd went into their first battle. The two companies conducted 




THE CEREMONIES AT MOLLIENS-AU-BOIS, AUGUST 12, 1918 
Private Harry Shelly of Company A was one of those who received a British decoration at the 

hands of King George. 

themselves so gallantly that three officers and five men were decorated by the 
British, and the regiment was cited in the highest terms. King George him.- 
self pinned the Military Cross on three officers and the Distinguished Con- 
duct Medal on four of the men honored for bravery. On account of wounds 
some of the decorated men were unable to be present at the ceremonies. Praise 
of the Americans was expressed officially by Lieutenant General Monash, com- 
mander in chief of the Australian forces, in an order saying: 

"The dash, gallantry, and efficiency of these American troops left noth- 
ing to be desired, and my Australian soldiers speak in the highest terms of 



THE I 3 2ND INFANTRY 



319 




praise of them. That 
soldiers of the United 
States and Australia 
have thus been associ- 
ated for the first time in 
such close cooperation 
on the battlefield is an 
historical event of such 
significance that it will 
live forever in the annals 
of our respective na- 
tions." 

Similar sentiments 
were less formally but 

no less emphaticalh^ voiced by the Australian soldiers beside whom the Illinois 
men had fought. They were generous in their praise and adopted the Amer- 
icans as worthy comrades. 

Following the battle at Hamel the regiment was attached to the 173rd 
British Infantry Brigade, then occupying the front line at Albert. The men 
at first went into the trenches by platoons, then by battalions, and finally, 
on August 6, as a regiment. 

This was the i32nd's first opportunity to serve as a unit in the front 
lines. The men took advantage of the opportunity in a manner that won 
favorable comment from veteran British officers. The British were surprised 



A WRECKED BRITISH TANK 
On the Albert-Amiens road. 




A HARMLESS "BIG BERTHA" 
This f'iant naval gun was wrecked bv the Germans in order to make it valueless to the 



America .1"; advancing 
east of Amiens. 



on the Somme. The sun stood at Cappy-sur-Somme, about twenty miles 



320 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




A DUMP OF THE 132ND AT GERMONVILLE 

bj^ the speed with which the Illinoisans adapted themselves to trench fight- 
ing and the skill with which they patrolled No Man's Land. 

While in the line before Albert the regiment was subjected to heavy 
artillery fire and suffered many casualties. Lieutenant James I. Dappert of 
Company K and Lieutenant Wilbur A. Mathews of Company M were killed 
by shell fire, and Lieutenant Raymond Preston died of the effects of gas 
inhaled when he was attempting to rescue soldiers who had been buried by 
the explosion of a shell. These were the first officers lost by the regiment. 

The regiment was 
relieved on August ii 
and sent to the Bois de 
Querrieu, where the 
Fourth Australian Infan- 
try Division was holding 
the line. A sector near 
Harbonnieres was as- 
signed to the 132nd and 
was held until August 
19, when the long- 
awaited order to join 
the American army on 
an American front was 
received by the divi- 
sional commander. 

Although they re- 
gretted leaving the Aus- 
THE EVER-USEFUL MULES tralians, the order de- 

At LaClairo wagons could not reach the water supply. lighted the men of the 




THE 132ND INFANTRY 



321 




FRENCH NAVAL GUN AT ALEXANDRE 

Perhaps the largest gun on the front, it was dynamited by the 
French during their retreat in 191 6. 



regiment. It meant, for 
one thing, relief from 
the cheese, hard bread, 
jam and tea of the 
British commissary. The 
prospect of American 
"chow" lightened the 
long trip to the new 
front. 

Trains carried the 
regiment from Camon 
and Longeau to Resson 
and Culey, where ten 
days were devoted to 
light duty. Then, in lor- 
ries, the men moved for- 
ward to Fromereville to 
serve with the Second 
French Army. The 
weird ride forward on an endless stream of motor trucks, running counter- 
current to another stream, gave the regiment a never-to-be-forgotten picture of 
the immensity of modern war. 

As the end of the lumbering ride was neared, the destination was re- 
vealed. In thrilled whispers the men passed along the name of the famous 
battlefield to which they were advancing: "Verdun!" 

It was a proud moment for the 132nd. To hold the line in a sector 

that had withstood the 
utmost strength of the 
enemy, a sector where so 
many heroes had laid 
down their lives to stop 
the foe, was an honor ap- 
preciated by every man. 
On the morning of 
September 10 the regi- 
ment moved into the 
front line at the his- 
toric Dead Man's Hill 
to relieve the 408th 
French Infantry and 
take up the task of 
guarding the approach 
AWAITING THE GERMAN ATTACK to the battered but in- 

The 132nd in the trenches at Alexandre before Verdun. From domitable fortresS of 
this trench could be seen the valley of the Meuse, where 70,000 
Frenchmen lie buried. Verdun. 




322 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



No Man's Land, in this sector, 
was a hotly contested battleground, 
but the 132nd more than held its 
own. Although clashes between its 
patrols and those of the enemy were 
frequent, the regiment's losses dur- 
ing this period were only one killed, 
one captured, and a few wounded. 

Two enemy patrols attacked 
Lieutenant Frank T. Wilson and 
twenty men of Company B one 
night, but were driven off with 
heavy losses though they outnum- 
bered their antagonists. Lieutenant 
Wilson's patrol did not lose a man. 
An official German report, captured 
later, showed that the enemy lost 
nine killed and twenty wounded, 
two of them officers. 

An order that gave warning of 
a general attack, extending from 
]\Ietz to the North Sea, was issued 
three days in advance of its open- 
ing on September 26. It designated 
the 132nd as the pivot for the whole 
movement, for the regiment was 
resting against the west bank of the 
Meuse, and the object of the offen- 
sive was to drive the enemy off that bank and to force him northward and 
eastward beyond the river. 




COLONEL DAVIS AT THE FRONT 

This shack had just been hit by a shell and 
torn in two. 




MEN OF THE 132ND BRINGING IN THEIR FIRST PRISONERS AT CHATTANCOURT 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



323 



When the order reached Colonel Davis he recalled the words spoken by 
the colonel in command of the 408th French Infantry at the time the 132nd 
relieved his regiment. An inspection of the sector had been made. To the 
right was the Meiise. In front, in the center of No Man's Land, was Forges 
Creek, with Forges Wood on rising ground beyond. 

"An advance in this direction by either side is impossible," the French 
colonel had said. ''The Germans tried it and failed. Probably we shall 
never try it. Am^ movement against the enemy would have to be from the 
east side of the Meuse, for on this side Forges Creek, the barbed wire en- 
tanglements, which have been constantly improved on both sides for three 
years, the elaborate machine gun nests on the edge of Forges Wood, and 




K- /ifc>«« 



WOUNDED MEN OF THE 132ND CARRIED BY GERMAN PRISONERS 
Near Chattancourt, September 26. In the background rises the top of Dead Man's Hill. 



the whole scheme of the German defense would make an attack quite im- 
possible." 

He had called it impossible, yet the orders for September 26 called for 
an advance across Forges Creek, an attack on the enemy's defenses in the 
woods, capture of the town of Forges, a sharp turn to the right and estab- 
lishment of a line a little more than a mile long on the west bank of the 
Meuse, facing the enemy on the east bank. 

It was decided that the first and second battalions should lead the at- 
tack, the first, under Major Brendan J. Dodd, on the right, and the second, 
commanded by Major Paul C. Gale, on the left. Major John J. Bullington 
and the third battalion were to support the attacking troops. 

A machine gun company was assigned to each battalion. The first bat- 
talion was given the regimental machine gun unit. Company A of the 
124th Machine Gun Battalion was assigned to Major Gale, while Com- 



324 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




READY FOR THE JUMP-OFF 

The tape followed by Company G on September 26. 
"potato-masher" holds the tape to view, 



A German 



pany D of the same or- 
ganization was attached 
to Major Bullington's 
battaUon. A section of 
37 mm. guns and trench 
mortars also was to ac- 
company each unit. 
Each battaHon was to 
have two companies in 
the line and two in sup- 
port. The individual 
companies were to be or- 
ganized in two waves 
each. 

The artillery opened 
a heavy barrage at i a. 



m. on the day of the attack. At 3 o'clock the volume of fire was increased, 
and at zero hour standing artillery and machine gun barrages were laid, 
to continue fortj^-five minutes. 

Zero hour was 5:15 a. m. Two hours before that time the regiment 
was in position. Precisely at the appointed hour it moved forward. Lanes 
had been cut through the wire in front of the American defenses along lines 
laid out by the intelligence section. Along the lanes down to Forges Creek, 
the men of the 132nd advanced. There, 
under cover of the barrage and a heavy 
mist, two companies of Colonel Henry A. 
Allen's Chicago engineers, the io8th, had 
built bridges. 

The enemy was directing savage ma- 
chine gun fire at the river, but the aim was 
too high and the regiment crossed rapidly 
without casualties. Then, under protection 
of a twenty-minute standing barrage, the 
lines reformed on the north bank of the 
stream and prepared for the first assault on 
the German lines. 

As the rolling barrage started, the 
order to advance was given, and the front 
line battalions moved ahead, about 300 
yards behind the barrage. At 6:30 Diogenes 
Trench and the southern fringe of Forges 
Wood were reached, the right flank resting 
on the Forges-Drillancourt road and the 
left touching the southwest line of the forest. 
Machine gun fire was encountered at the 




ONE OF THE PASSERALLES 
ACROSS FORGES SWAMP 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



325 



edge of the woods but flanking platoons quickly silenced it, and the advance 
continued. 

Thus far the heavy fog had covered and aided the advance, but now more 
concentrated opposition was met. The enemy's machine gun nests were nu- 
merous and cleverly placed. They were echeloned in depth in five lines and 
strongly manned. Ihe infantry fire, however, was rather weak. 

It soon became evident that the advance could not be made in line. 
Attacking waves, therefore, were formed into small combat groups for oper- 
ation against strong-points and posts. In this way the advance was con- 
tinued. Bombers, supported by trench mortars, disposed of isolated posts, 




IN THE ENEMY'S TRENCHES 
At Forges, on October 3, the 132nd made good use of the camouflage left by the Germans. 
German line is about 1,200 yards away, across the Meuse River. 



The 



one by one. Riflemen took care of the numerous snipers, some of whom 
were operating in trees. 

In this extremely difficult and dangerous advance Captain George H. 
Mallon of Company E led his men with such bravery and skill as to hearten 
the whole line. He personally led attacks on machine gun nests which re- 
sulted in the capture of eleven machine guns and one anti-tank gun with 
their crews. Then he engineered and participated in the capture of a battery 
of 150 mm. howitzers, attacking some of the gunners with his fists when his 
ammunition had been exhausted. 

Captain Mallon was one of four men of the regiment who won the Con- 
gressional Medal of Honor for valor displayed in the advance through Forges 



326 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Wood. One of the i32nd's distinctions was the possession of five of the 
seventy-eight Congressional Medals awarded to officers and men of the Amer- 
ican Expeditionary Forces. Four were earned in this battle. The three other 
men winning them were First Sergeant Sydney G. Gumpertz of Company E, 
who fought beside his captain in the machine gun raids and then personally 
cleaned out one menacing nest; Private Berger Loman of Company H, who 
captured an officer and fourteen men after silencing a machine gun; and 
Sergeant Willie Sandlin of Company H^ who rushed and put out of commis- 
sion several enemy nests. 

By means of such heroic fighting the advancing troops forced their way 
through the woods. The first battalion, on the right flank, swung toward 











nils WAS THE TOWN OF FORGES 

A squad of the loSth Engineers are building a road through the center of the town. 

the east to reach its objective. It became subjected to heavy machine gun 
fire from commanding positions in the Ravine des Rapilleux, but the 
soldiers rushed the nests, captured or killed the gunners, and broke 
through. 

The battalion continued to advance steadily until it reached its objective, 
the railroad tracks paralleling the west bank of the Meuse. 

To Company D, on the right of the first battalion, had been assigned 
the special mission of cleaning up the trenches and strong-points in the direc- 
tion of the town of Forges and in the town itself. Upon reaching Diogenes 
Trench, Company D swung to the right along the edge of the wood and, brush- 
ing aside the opposition which it encountered, captured the town of Forges. 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



327 




AN AERIAL VIEW OF FORGES WOOD 
Showing part of the terrain over which the 132nd advanced on September 26. 



328 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




THE GERMAN BEER WAS GOOD AT FORGES 
The officer at the left is Lieutenant Rheinfrank. 



It then pushed on to the 
east, reaching the bank 
of the Meuse in time to 
establish liaison with the 
rest of the battalion 
when it reached its ob- 
jective. 

Meantime, the sec- 
ond battalion executed a 
turning movement to- 
ward the jMeuse along a 
narrow gauge railroad 
running about 300 yards 
west of the Forges-Dril- 
lancourt road. The bat- 
talion proceeded through 
the wood, fighting stub- 
bornly for every foot 
gained, until the right 
flank reached the road running east and west through the center of the forest. 
It then advanced in a due easterly direction, always in the face of severe fire, 
until it, too, faced the INIeuse. 

The third battalion followed in support of the second until it reached 
the wood. Then it inclined to the west, went around the edge of the wood, 
and filled the gap caused by the turning movement of the other battalions. 
Detachments were left to mop up positions in the woods and guard ap- 
proaches where counterattacks might be made. 

The plan of attack had completely surprised the enemy. The 132nd, 
after crossing No Man's Land in front of the German lines, had executed 
an encircling movement, hitting the enemy on the flank instead of the front 
as he expected. All the enemy machine guns were laid to meet an attack 
from the front. Men of the 132nd attacked and captured machine gun 
crews which were firing blindly to the front in blissful ignorance of the fact 
that there were no troops there. Many have called this one of the most 
successful operations of the war. 

The regiment's objectives were reached by 10 o'clock, after an advance 
of five kilometers. More than 800 prisoners were captured and great quan- 
tities of arms and ammunition were taken, and the casualties of the 132nd 
were one officer and fifteen men killed and seventy-two men wounded. The 
captured ordnance and stores included four 6-inch howitzers, with large 
quantities of ammunition; ten field pieces, with ammunition; ten trench 
mortars; one hundred and nine machine guns and a great deal of ammuni- 
tion; two anti-tank guns; quantities of small arms ammunition, grenades, and 
pyrotechnics; a dump of engineering material; a wagon load of signal ap- 
paratus; eight railroad cars, and miscellaneous stores. 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



329 




MAJOR WILLIAM E. KENDALL 

Regimental surgeon of the 132nd. 



The victory added to the regi- 
ment's prestige and confidence. 
Picked German troops had been 
overwhelmingly defeated, and the 
men of the 132nd had shown ex- 
traordinary bravery. The men who 
received the Congressional Medal 
were not the only ones who distin- 
guished themselves in the battle. 
Sergeant Major Alfred W. Heuer of 
the second battalion and Private 
Henry Hoy of Company A risked 
their lives to save comrades from 
death; Corporal Eli Shapiro of Com- 
pany D led his squad through the 
battle, in spite of serious wounds; 
Captain John R. Weaver of Com- 
pany A, Sergeant George W. Miller 
of Company F, Sergeant Earl J. 
Cheevers of the signal section, Cor- 
poral Victor Peterson and Private 

Charles Schultz of Company H and Private George Korsysko of Company 
H displayed exceptional gallantry in attacking machine gun nests. First 
Lieutenant Ralph W. Stine was killed by a sniper's bullet when gallantly 
leading his platoon against an entrenched position of the enemy. 

Nor did all the glory belong to the fighting men. Captain (later Major) 
William E. Kendall, the regimental surgeon, after assigning a battalion 
surgeon to each of the attacking waves, advanced with the first wave. 
"This is our first big engagement," he told Colonel Davis before the battle 
began. "I am going with one of the attacking waves in order to let each 
officer and man of the medical department know that I do not expect of 
them any more than I would do myself. I know them to be a brave lot 
and want to be one of them." 

Captain Kendall continued with the attacking wave until the objective 
was reached, establishing dressing stations and supervising the removal and 
treatment of the wounded. Captain Kendall was right. He had a brave 
lot. In this, as in other actions, the medical officers and men of the 132nd 
did heroic work. 

The regiment held its position on the west bank of the Meuse until 
October 4, w^hen it was withdrawn to Malancourt to act as a reserve to^ the 
corps. The time was spent in strengthening the defenses and reconnoiter- 
ing in expectation of another attack. Scouts covered the entire regimental 
front, from Consenvoye to Brabant, obtaining information to be used when 
the time should come for crossing the Meuse. The enemy kept up a steady 
fire on the trenches, causing many casualties but failing to dislodge the 132nd. 



330 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



After the withdrawal, the third battaUon and the machine gun company 
were attached to the Fourth Division. The remaining units of the regiment 
were sent back to the Meuse to participate in a projected attack on the Bois 
de Chaume, the Bois du Plat Chene and Consenvoye, to be launched October 8. 

The plan was to have the French attack, and, if possible, capture Con- 
senvoye. The first and second battalions of the 132nd regiment and the sec- 
ond battalion of the 131st were then to cross the river, pass through the 




AN OBSERVATION POST NEAR FORGES 
In the distance can be seen the town of Consenvoye. 

French troops and drive on through the Bois de Chaume and the Bois du Plat 
Chcne. 

At 9 a. m. on October 8 the regiment was informed that the French 
had reached their objective, and the attack began. The second battalion 
and Company A of the 124th Machine Gun Battalion, all commanded by 
Major Gale, were on the right. On the left was Major Dodd with the first 
battalion and Company D of the 124th Machine Gun Battalion. The sec- 
ond battalion of the 131st and the machine gun company of that regiment 
were in support, under Major Hamlet C. Ridgway. Each battalion was ac- 
companied by sections of trench mortar and 37 mm. batteries. With the 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



331 



second battalion in the 
lead, the regiment 
crossed the Meuse at 
Brabant over a bridge 
constructed by the io8th 
Engineers. On the east 
bank it was ranged in 
battle formation. At 11 
o'clock the actual ad- 
vance began. 

Immediately it be- 
came evident that the 
French had not cleared 
the area assigned to 
them. Shortly after 
leaving Brabant the right flank came under fire from Consenvoye Wood. A 
little later the left flank was fired on from Consenvoye. As the advance 
continued the fire from Consenvoye Wood became more intense. It was 
decided that, if the attacking troops were to go on, the wood must be cleared 
of machine gun nests. Lieutenant Arvid Gulbrandsen of Company F, with 
fifteen men, was ordered to remove the obstacle. This small detachment 
moved into the wood and soon encountered a strong machine gun nest. Under 
Lieutenant Gulbrandsen's direction, the men surrounded and attacked the 
position. The squad was skillfully handled and kept up so effective a fire 
that the Germans were completely deceived. Believing that the main at- 




THE APPROACH TO CONSENVOYE BRIDGE 




THE RAILROAD STATION AT CONSENVOYE 



332 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



tack was being made against 
Consenvoye Wood, the enemy 
shifted his fire from the main 
line and concentrated it on the 
group which was storming the 
machine gun nest in the wood. 

This shift in the fire made 
it possible for the battaHon to 
continue its advance but it cost 
the lives of Lieutenant Gul- 
brandsen and every man in his 
heroic little band. Fighting 
against terrific odds, the detach- 
ment was wiped out. Sixteen 
men gave their lives in the ex- 
ecution of an order. Their sac- 
rifice will never be forgotten. 

With the right flank no 
longer menaced, the troops 
moved forward in fines of com- 
bat groups, preceded by scouts. 
Automatic rifle squads preceded 
each flank, engaging the ma- 
chine gun nests while the main 
line advanced. 

The enemy's fire became 
terrific as Consenvoye was 
neared. Anti-tank rifles were 
used with frightful effect. They 
inflicted heavy casualties and 
caused wounds too horrible for description. These guns, however, were 
stormed and captured, and Major Dodd, whose leadership had been superb, 
finally led the first battalion into Consenvoye, clearing the town and kill- 
ing many of the enemy. At this point the attack temporarily rested. 

A great many prisoners were taken in Consenvoye, and three Amer- 
icans were retaken from the enemy. They were Lieutenant Russell A. 
Schmidt of the io8th Field Signal Battalion and two of his men. The Ger- 
mans had captured them as they were laying advance wires to be used by 
the attacking troops. Lieutenant Schmidt himself had been seriously wounded, 
but had contrived, before being taken prisoner, to sink his copies of plans 
and orders in the Meuse. 

The regiment reformed its lines at Consenvoye and waited for orders 
to proceed with the attack. The losses had been heavy in the severe fight- 
ing in the woods, but magnificent heroism had made possible the elimina- 
tion of a strong enemy position. 




THE CONSENVOYE CHURCH 

Used first by the Germans and later by the Americans 
as a stable and blacksmith shop. 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



333 




THE APPROACH TO CONSENVOYE 



334 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




It would be impossible to recite 
the individual exploits that won 
honor for the 132nd in the advance 
on Consenvoye, but the quality of 
the regiment's fighting may be 
judged from the behavior of such 
men as First Sergeant Johannes S. 
Anderson of Company B, who, 
single-handed, attacked a strong- 
point containing machine guns, cap- 
turing twenty-three prisoners, and 
Private Felix Bird, who took forty- 
nine men prisoners after killing their 
officer. 

Corporal Robert C. Fraser of 
Company C also distinguished him- 
self. At the point of his bayonet 
he marched fifty Germans out of a 
dugout near Consenvoye. Private 
Louis Cecilia of Company G won es- 
special honor by routing a gun crew 
and fighting on in spite of severe 
wounds. 

First Lieutenants Claude H. Craig, Jay T. Baughan and Roger K. 
Thompson fought so gallantly as to win commissions as captains. 

At 4 p. m. the regiment was ordered to resume the attack. Under a 
rolling barrage the assaulting waves moved forward again, the second bat- 
talion en the right, the first battalion on the left and the battalion from the 
131st Infantry in support. The enemy's strength had been nearly spent, 
and, by nightfall the line had advanced to the south edge of the Bois de 
Chaume, where the men dug in for the night. 

Next morning at 6 o'clock the artillery again opened fire, and the 
struggle for possession of the Bois de Chaume began. The enemy, strongly 
intrenched in the woods, poured a withering fire into the advancing line. 
Captain Franklin Wood of Company D fell with eleven bullets in his body 
as he led his men, and the soldiers behind him suffered heavily. 

The right battalion encountered strong opposition when the middle of 
the wood was reached and was delayed for a time. The enemy was routed, 
however, and the battalion continued to advance, only slightly behind the 
left flank. There was another delay as the battalion neared the first ex- 
ploitation objective. Intense fire came from the right flank, which should 
have been protected by the Twenty-ninth Division which was operating in 
that sector. This flank attack so harassed the battalion that it did not reach 
the first exploitation objective until noon, an hour behind the battalion on 
the left. 



LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES H. 
STANSFIELD 
After his service with the 132nd Infantry 
Colonel Stansfield was division judge advocate 
and later acting division adjutant. 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



335 





IN THE BUIS DE ClIAUxME 
Front view of a German observation post and machine gun nest. 



As soon as liaison 
had been effected, strong 
:ombat patrols were sent 
forward in the direction 
3f the second exploita- 
tion objective, while 
both battalions dug 
themselves in. One com- 
pany of the support bat- 
talion was sent to assist 
the right flank; the rest 
of the unit dug in in the 
rear of the right bat- 
talion. 

The combat patrols 
met stiff opposition but 

overcame small groups of the enemy and exterminated machine gun nests. 
They reached the second exploitation objective in good order, and were just 
digging themselves in when the fog that had hung over the battlefield all 
day lifted, revealing the enemy's trenches only about 150 feet away. 

Troops on both sides were surprised to find their lines so close together. 
The Germans lost no time in retiring to new positions several hundreds yards 
to the rear, leaving a few machine guns in the abandoned trenches. 

Meanwhile, the right battalion was looking in vain for the division on 
its right. Orders had been to advance to the second objective without regard 
for the troops to the right but it soon became evident that a gap of more 

than a mile had been 
left in the line, exposing 
the right flank and giv- 
ing the enemy a danger- 
ous opening. The divi- 
sion to the right had not 
even reached its normal 
objective. 

The enemy quickly 
took advantage of this 
situation. Small groups 
began filtering through 
the gap to harass the 
right flank. Then a 
counterattack was 
launched. Infantry, 
supported by machine 
guns, was thrown against 
REAR VIEW OF THE SAME NEST the battalion, aided by 




336 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



heavy artillery fire and a fleet of airplanes. The supporting battalion could 
not cover the whole exposed front, but the line held under the enemy's ham- 
mering and was able to bend slowly backward to close the gap. The counter- 
attack was repulsed after heavy losses on both sides. Then the line was 
reorganized, with the left flank remaining on the second exploitation objective 
and the extreme right flank touching the line of the normal objective. There 
the regiment hung on until reenforcements had come forward to relieve it and 
take up the fight. Then it withdrew from the line for a short rest. 

Special praise was earned in the Bois de Chaume fighting by the runners. 
Although telephones, visual signals, and pigeons were used in maintaining 




THE AMERICAN CEMETERY AT THE SOUTH END OF THE BOIS DU FAYS 
Where some of the men of the third battaUon were buried. 



liaison, runners gave better service than all other means together. And the 
messengers of the 132nd maintained communications at the risk of their 
lives. Color Sergeant Elof Sandstrom, the chief runner of the regiment, 
won fame for his daring. Others who distinguished themselves repeatedly 
in this and other battles were Corporal Herman J. Friedman, Corporal Wil- 
liam J. Sattler, and Privates Philip Duff, Sidney Hatch, Harvey E. Camell, 
James J. Snyder, and Paul E. Watson. 

The band men, too, deserve honor for their behavior. They acted as 
stretcher-bearers in battle and faced the fire of the enemy repeatedly to go 
to the rescue of comrades. 

While the first and third battalions had been engaged in the attack 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



337 




around Consenvoye, the 
third battahon, under 
Major Bullington, and 
the machine gun com- 
pany, under Captain 
Harry R. Chadwick, 
which had been attached 
to the Fourth Division, 
had seen equally as 
severe fighting west of 
the Meuse. 

Immediately after 
its transfer, the third 
battalion, accompanied 
by the machine gunners, 
had relieved parts of the 
Fifty-eighth and Fifty- 
ninth Infantry Regi- 
ments in the Bois du Fays, taking over a horseshoe-shaped salient there. As 
the enemy was strongly entrenched on both sides of the salient, the battalion 
was exposed to intense artillery and machine gun fire and frequent gas at- 
tacks from both flanks. 

The battalion went into the line on October 6. The next morning a 
strong combat patrol from Company M penetrated 300 yards into the 
enemy's position, determined the strength of the German defenses and 
located an observation post. Later in the day another patrol was sent out. 
So annoying did these patrols become that on the morning of October 8 the 
enemy withdrew from the eastern side of the salient. 

With one side of the line relieved, portions of the Fourth Division 



GERMAN OFFICERS' QUARTERS Ii\ BOIS DE FORET 

The type of construction indicates that they were intended for 
long occupancy. 




TANORAxMA OF THE TOWN OF BRIEULLES 
The principal town in the sector in which the third battalion fought from October 6 to 10. 



338 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



launched an attack on the morning of the 9th to clear the Bois de Malau- 
mont and reach the northern edge of the Bois de Foret. 

The enemy's resistance was stubborn. On the night of October 10 the 
men of the 132nd were ordered forward to assist the troops then in position. 
The battalion advanced through the Bois de Malaumont and at daylight of 
the next day renewed the attempt to clear the wood. 

The advancing lines were subjected to terrific artillery fire, gas shells 
especially causing many casualties. Hand-to-hand fighting occurred fre- 
quently. Machine gun nests were numerous and were strongly placed. Every 
foot of the way was contested. 

To add to the difficulties of the attack, the enemy's fire virtually cut 
the lines of communication. So many casualties were suffered by carrying 
parties that in one or two instances all efforts to get rations up to the fight- 
ing men had to be abandoned. All along the line rations were insufficient. 

The battalion, nevertheless, forged ahead. The line was disorganized 
several times by artillery fire, but never routed. Each time the attacking 
waves were reorganized and the stubborn progress was resumed. 

When at last the objective had been reached, Major Bullington and 
all company commanders were casualties; one officer and thirty-seven men 
had been killed, and eleven officers and three hundred and fifteen men 
had been wounded or gassed. But the objective had been reached on 
scheduled time and the woods were clear of Germans, A first lieutenant, 
Harry Yagle, was in command of the battalion when it left the lines and 
the ranks had been terribly depleted, but the only comment of the men was: 
"We gave 'em hell and captured 400 of 'em!" 




IN THE FOURTH DIVISIONS SECTOR 

Showing the territory covered by the advance of the third battaHon, 132nd Infantry. 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



339 




Instances of great personal 
heroism in this advance were com- 
mon, officers and men alike over- 
coming desperate odds to win their 
way through the woods. 

Lieutenant Homer C, Darling, 
Lieutenant Albert H. Stout, and 
Sergeant John Francisco, of Com- 
pany M, distinguished themselves in 
hand-to-hand encounters with the 
enemy and led their men with skill 
and bravery. First Sergeant Geof- 
frey L. Hubbard of Company L be- 
haved with similar gallantry, taking 
command of the company after 
every officer had been killed or 
wounded and leading it until the ob- 
jective had been reached. Lieuten- 
ant Earl Wall and Lieutenant Ross 
L. Williams lost their fives while 
leading their men. Lieutenant Wil- 
liams sacrificed himself in an effort 
to recover wounded men of the ma- 
chine gun company. 

Captain Robert C. Hagan, 
Captain Charles E. Wise, Lieutenant 
George W. Hartell, First Sergeant 
George B. Webber, and Privates Ernest Kruse, Ingeman Jensen, Edward J. 
Powers and Melvin Myhrune, though wounded, refused to go to the rear 
until after the battle. Private Powers threw away the "wounded" tag which 
had been put on him and slipped away from the first aid station to rejoin 
his comrades. Captain Wise, until he was forcibly removed to a dressing 
station, directed his company from the shell hole in which he had fallen. 

Father (Captain) John L. O'Donnell, the regimental chaplain, was in 
the thick of the fighting at the Bois du Fays, as he had been at Forges 
Wood, where he was with the first wave when the objective was reached. 
In the action at the Bois du Fays, he was in the front lines, caring for the 
wounded and directing the stretcher bearers. He was gassed at the Bois 
de Foret on October 10 but refused to leave the line until he was exhausted. 
He was then removed to a hospital. 

Captain Chadwick was wounded when in the front lines with his ma- 
chine gun crews. Private Carl Swanson lost his life in attempting to assist 
the captain — a shell struck him as he was lifting the wounded officer to a 
stretcher. 

Others whose heroism helped make the advance possible were Corporal 



CAPTAIN JOHN L. ODONNELL 

Regimental chaplain, awarded the Distin- 
guished Service Medal for "his unceasing efforts 
on behalf of the men's welfare. Wherever he 
was needed he set an example for courage and 
heroism which appreciably raised the morale of 
those for whom he worked." 



340 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Thomas P. Tibbetts, of 
Company L, who led a 
reconnaissance patrol 
through the German 
lines; Sergeant James 
Reynolds, also of Com- 
pany L, who cleaned out 
three machine gun nests; 
and Privates Irving B. 
Torfin and Adolph Pru- 
shek of the same com- 
pany, who carried mes- 
sages through heavy fire. 
How well the 
Fourth Division appreci- 
ated the battalion's serv- 
ices may be judged from 
the citations won by the 
unit. Colonel F. W. 

Wise, of the United States Marine Corps, who was in command of the 

Fifty-ninth Infantry, said in an order: 

"I wish to call attention to the splendid services rendered by the officers 

and men of the third battalion, 132nd Infantry, under command of Major 

Bullington, while attached to this regiment from October 6 to October 10. 

* * * Their service was performed under most trying conditions." 

Brigadier General E. E. Booth, commanding the Eighth Infantry Brigade, 

had this to say: "This battalion rendered excellent service and showed the 

splendid material of which it is composed by performing its work without a 

murmur under a grilling artillery and machine gun fire." 




INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH AT DANNEVOUX 




NESTLING IN THE VALLEY, THE TOWN OF DANNEVOUX 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



341 



After the battalion had rejoined the regiment in a rest area, replace- 
ment troops were sent forward to fill the ranks. To these men great credit 
is due, for they learned with amazing rapidity and served well, though 
many of them, had never fired an army rifle. Some of the new men, unfortu- 
nately, were not physically fit for the rigors of hard campaigning, but the 
majority became good soldiers. 

The regiment was ready for action again by October 14 and was ordered 
to the front lines near Dannevoux. The enemy kept up a continuous fire 
of gas and high explosive shells, but the i32nd's gas disciplme was so good 
by this time that little damage v/as done. A quiet week was spent at Dan- 
nevoux, Then the regiment was transferred to the Troyon sector, about 
thirt}^ miles southwest of Metz. It went into the line there on October 24 







IN THE STREETS OF TROYON 

These men were not unwilling to have their photographs taken. 

and immediately encountered greater enemy activity. The i32nd's patrols 
maintained the upper hand, however, engaging the enemy nightly and taking 
many prisoners. In this valuable work Lieutenant Howard B. Gregory, 
who had won recognition as a patrol officer at Dead Man's Hill, again dis- 
tinguished himself. On three occasions he took out patrols and returned 
with prisoners. 

Until the morning of the last day of the war, patrolling was the only 
activity in w^hich the men of the 132nd engaged. But in the early hours of 
that memorable November 11, part of the 132nd, cooperating with other 
troops of the Sixty-sixth Brigade, drove the enemy out of the town of Butgne- 
ville. The other units of the regiment attacked the Bois de Warville. 

Although the men knew that the armistice was to take effect at 1 1 o'clock, 
they jumped into the fight fiercely. And the enemy, just as well aware 



342 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



that the fighting would end in a few hours, resisted strongly. But promptly 
at II o'clock all firing ceased, with the regiment well in advance of its 
former position. 

Immediately the Germans left their trenches, making signs of friendli- 
ness and begging for food and tobacco. They had almost to be driven away 
from the American lines, in accordance with orders from general head- 
quarters against "fraternization with the enemy." 

In the evening the signing of the armistice was celebrated with im- 
promptu fireworks. Rockets and star shells captured from the enemy were 
sent out over No Man's Land. 

Thousands of French and Russian prisoners, released from work in the 
Briey mine regions, swarmed in upon the Illinoisans after the signing of 
the armistice. They had to be fed and clothed, for all of them were in rags 




THE BAND AT MONTE CARLO 

Winners of the Thirty-third Division and the Sixth Army Corps championships. 

and emaciated by hunger. Major Bullington, who by this time had returned 
to duty, was put in charge of them and handled the relief work in an able 
manner. 

Often the sight of food started a stampede among these starving men, 
and it became necessary to establish guard lines at every mess. All were 
provided with good food and warm clothing, however, and finally sent to 
special camps in the rear. 

The 132nd remained in the Troyon sector until December 7, when the 
march into Germany was begun. Some of the men were without proper 
shoes, but in all other respects the regiment was fit for the journey and made 
it easily. The route led through the Metz and Briey regions, thence into 
Luxemburg, and finally into Germany. 

The regions through which the regiment passed presented an astonishing 
contrast to devastated France. The well-tilled fields and pretty villages 
seemed untouched by war. 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



343 



The Illinoisans reached Germany on December 15, but were ordered 
back to Luxemburg five days later because of lack of billeting space. In 
the pretty duchy the regiment went into winter quarters, scattered in billets 
in many little villages. At one time, so small were the hamlets, the 132nd 
occupied no fewer than fourteen villages. 

Although the fighting had ended, training was continued and the regi- 
ment kept itself in fine condition. But the winter was not spent entirely 
in work. Amateur theatricals, athletics, horse and motor transport shows, 
and other amusements kept the men contented. 

In all these activities the 132nd distinguished itself. The regimental 
transport was adjudged the best in the division, and then the division's 




THE REGIMENT AT ETTELBRUCK 

Lined up for the review by General Pershing. 



transport won the distinction of being rated among the best in the A. E. F. 
The 132nd Infantry band won the division prize and later the Sixth Corps 
championship, getting a fifteen-day trip to Nice and Monte Carlo as a reward. 

At last came the long-awaited order starting the regiment toward home. 
On May 10, 19 19, it boarded its last French train and started toward Brest. 
The men rode in the "40 Hommes, 8 Chevaux" cars, but no one complained 
now. To be homeward bound in any kind of conveyance compensated for 
the inconvenience. 

A short stop was made at Pontanezen barracks, where the regiment was 
"decootied" and fitted with new clothing. Then it embarked on the same 
ship which had carried it to France and sailed away toward the west. 

As the transport steamed into New York harbor on the morning of 
May 24, it was met by Governor Lowden and the Illinois welcoming com- 



344 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




mittee. The Governor 
and his associates ac- 
companied the regiment 
to Camp Mills, where 
they formally welcomed 
the men back and as- 
sured them of Illinois' 
pride in their record. 

From Camp Mills 
the men who had joined 
the regiment as replace- 
ments were sent to their 
home camps for dis- 
charge. Then the rest 
of the men, nearly 2,200 of them, started on to Illinois. After two years' 
absence they were returning to their home state with a record of which any 
regiment might be proud. They had fought hard and gallantly. Ten 
officers and two hundred and fifty-two men had been left lying in France; 
thirty officers and one thousand and eighty-seven men had been wounded. 
Such was the price in blood the regiment had paid for its victories. 

Hardships and sufferings were well rewarded when the regiment reached 
Chicago. The men will never forget the welcome accorded them. With the 
city's cheers still ringing in their ears, the men of the 132nd proceeded to 
Camp Grant, where demobilization formally closed the regimental history. 



THE COLORS ADVAx\CE FOR DECORATION 




GENERAL PERSHING DECORATING THE COLORS OF THE 132ND 



346 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 132ND INFANTRY WHO WERE KILLED IN ACTION, 
DIED OF WOUNDS OR DIED OF DISEASE OVERSEAS 



Captain 

Franklin Wood 

First Lieutenants 
Ralph W. Stine 
Wm. S. Wolf. Jr. 
Ross L. Williams 

Second Lieutenants 

James Ivan Dappert 
Arvid W. Gulbrandsen 
Wilbur A. Mathews 
Theodore Nelson 
Raymond Preston 
Earl L. Wall 
Albert H. Stout 

Sergeants 

Walter DcHaven 
Rudolph Erdman 
Wesley Foster 
John Q. Hartell 
George R. Hunsaker 
Walter E. Johnson 
George W. Lee 
Ivan McCutcheon 
Jack L. Milloy 
Oscar Peterson 
James A. Purdon 
Albert Ratajik 
Royce V. Wallace 
Robert Yarmo 

Corporals 

George M. Anderson 
James J. Beran 
Charles Brick 
Joseph R. Cantwell 
William Chizum 
Harry P. Deiss 
Adam S. Faltynski 
Mike George 
John Hanus 
Willis J. Henshaw 
John J. Hogan 
John V. Janiszewski 
Christ Johnson 
Martin M. Johnson 
John F. Lamont 
Fredolph J. Lindhuldt 
John E. Lynch 
Robert J. Maher 
James J. McCarthy 
Harry H. Meyer 
Harry H. Heysemboure 
Walter C. Murray 
Emmett Patrick O'Donneii 



Anthony Paterakis 
James J. Pavlis 
Arnold S. Rening 
William F. Rochford 
Marshall D. Ross 
Paul Siclar 
Edward Siers 
John F. Slusinski 
Clement R. Steele 
Fred D. Stevenson 
Albert F. Wittman 

Cook 

Edward Hain 

Bugler 

Ernest Wipper 

Mechanics 

Bronislaw Gosztowt 
Alexander J. Kawciznski 
Emil G. F. Schieve 
John Schook 

Privates, First Class 
Stanley F. Bayarek 
Richard Bollatto 
Charles C. Clark 
John Coco 
Philip Conduti 
Michael J. Durkin 
Charles L. Eddy 
Paul Fitzner 
Edward G. Fogarty 
Glenn E. Gambrill 
Rafael P. Garza 
Joseph Greco 
Edward Harris 
John P. Huberty 
Henry Hubick 
John Jaski 
Sydney Kirkeng 
Casimir Lisewski 
Alfred Madson 
Clifford McCutcheon 
Louis Notardonado 
Adolph Oium 
John Papas 
James Papovasilupulos 
Joseph H. Peterka 
Isadora Pobstman 
Emil F. Redding 
Edward R. Reeves 
Frank Roach 
John C. Scalzitti 
Frank H. Schubert 
Harry Seal 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



347 



Clarence E. Seth 
John F. Slusinski 
Joseph F. Steiber 
Cilinion F. Whitt 
Michael Washa 

Privates 

George Annasnostopouios 
Harry O. Altenberg 
Gust Barstad 
John P. Bast 
Leonard F. Becker 
Mandel Beerstel 
Arthur A. Beyer 
John Blasius, Jr. 
Elmer Borgeson 
Bertis L. Bradley 
Fred W. Brown 
Oswald H. Burmester 
Homer W. Bussong 
Clarence T. Butler 
Edward A. Carbiener 
Phillip Capogna 
Emedo Camili 
Marius H. Christiansen 
James P. Cleary 
Cloyd Cravens 
Arthur H. Dahlman 
Edward Dardis 
Benjamin S. Davis 
Edward Decowski 
John R. DeLong 
Peter D. De Young 
Sylvester Dobinski 
Charles Domiano 
Charles Darion 
Adam J. Ducabage 
Elijah T. Duckworth 
Frank O. Dunlavey 
James Dunne 
Everett R. Duress 
Sebastian Emma 
Henry H. Engelhardt 
Albert J. Erickson 
John Essenmacher 
Alvin Fengestad 
Gustave Franson 
Arthur A. Frederickson 
John J. Frerichs 
Theodore G. Frisse 
Edward Fucik 
John A. Gabrielson 
Joseph Corkowski 
Edward J. Gadbois 
Peter Gednill 
Jacob Gelombirki 
Charles Glemzer 
William M. Grant 
Frank F. Gresiak 
George M. Hanson 



Lloyd Haws 
Louis Haycox 
Clark S. Hazlett 
Richard Hill 
Paul Hoover 
Walenty Horzewski 
Sidney Johnson 
Hyman Kaufman 
Herbert J. Keilman 
William Kelly 
Thomas Kindekm 
William Kirscbenbaum 
Elmer Klauck 
Paul Kokoszka 
George Korsysko 
Joseph V. Kozielski 
Joseph Kiwiatkowski 
Benjamin L, Lamb 
Orbra Leath 
Sam Levinsky 
Gustave Lindbloom 
Joseph Lisiecki 
Alfred E. Lyng 
Charles E. Maguire 
Theodore L. Manhom 
James Manguso 
Arthur L. Marske 
Dominico Mattuci 
George W. McDonald 
John G. McDonald 
Patrick B. McEniery 
Robert R. McKibben 
James McPeak 
William J. Metzen 

Ignazio Miosi 

Eddie C. Momb 

Roy S. Moore 

Edward C. Mullens 

Carl F. Nitz 

Dominick O'Berto 

fames O'Brien 

W'lliam G. O'Brien 

Patrick W. O'Connell 

Antone Ogren 

Alphonso J. O'Laughlin 

Patrick O'Leary 

Ben M. Ooster 

Richard J. O'Reiley 

George Oszuscik 

Carl E. Otto 

Peter Owseychick 

Ben Paganini 

Fred C. Passick 

Emil A. Peo 

Junius Perry 

Luigi Pern 

Floyd J. Pound 

Arthur A. Petermeiei 

Erwin A. Peters 

Frank Petrick 



348 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



George S. Poston 
Maurice B. Quillen 
M. Rabinowitz 
Willie A. Ramsey 
Nelson F, Ratcliff 
Jesse H. Reinhart 
William R. Rhodes 
Dalo Rice 
Robert J. Rodgcrs 
Anton Romsos 
Bennedetto Salvador! 
Fred W. Sanders, Jr. 
Felix Scherrpa 
Charles Schultz 
Earl L. Sears 
Biirget L. Shearer 
Frank H. Sheldon 
Edward Shart 
Jacob Siegel 
James T. Snider 
John Sobanski 
John A. Stone 
George A. Stall 
August F. Soucheck 
Lloyd K. Spears 
Fred Stancik 



Vincent Stankiewicz 
Walter Stasiak 
Carl E. Swanson 
Joseph O. Sweet 
Macario Taglieri 
Lee A. Taylor 
David Thyr 
Samuel E. Tinkey 
Melville G. Tierney 
Edward H. Tosel 
Theodore Trost 
Theodore L. Trouth 
Louis Tveite 
Taddeus A. Tyk 
Charles B. Updike 
Joseph P. Vogt 
Frederick G. Vilim 
Arthur Vidal 
James T. Venable. 
Melvius Wold 
Bruno Wojciechowski 
Chester Wiszowaty 
Jose Wesolowski 
Harry Yauch 
John S. Zakrzewski 
Fred M. Ziegler 



DECORATIONS RECEIVED BY OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 132ND INFANTRY 



Colonel 

Abel Davis 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Majors 

Brendan J. Dodd 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Chevalier Legion of Honor 
Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

John J. Bullington 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 

Captains 

Harry R. Chadwick 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Christie F. McCormick 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
Charles J. McNamee 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 
George H. Mallon 

Medal of Honor 

Chevalier Legion of Honor 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
William J. Masoner 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
John L. O'Donnell 

Distinguished Service Medal 
Frank E. Schram 

The Military Cross 



Robert Wigglesworth 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre for merit 
Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

Charles E. Wise 

Distinguished Service Cross 

First Lieutefiants 

Julian W. Jacobs 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
Ralph W. Stine 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Second Lieutenants 

Homer C. Darling 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Arvid W. Gulbrandsen 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Michael Komorowsky 

The Military Cross 

Belgian Cross 
Theodore V. Nelson 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Albert H. Stout 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Earl L. Wall 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Henry A. Yagle 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Cross 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



349 



First Sergeants 

Johannes S. Anderson 

Medal of Honor 

Medaille Militaire 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 
Sydney G. Gumpertz 

Medal of Honor 

Medaille Militaire 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
Martin E. Smith 

Distinguished Service Cross 
George B. Webber 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Sergeants 

Monred A. Bordwick 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Samuel E. Casaga 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Earl J. Cheevers 

Distinguished Service Cross 
John Francisco 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Frank A. Koijane 

Distinguished Service Cross 

The Military Medal 
John I. Postula 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Lawrence E. Rue 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
Willie Sandlin 

Medal of Honor 

Medaille Militaire 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
Jacob B. Ternig 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Corporals 

John DeSmidt 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Distinguished Conduct Medal 
Robert C. Eraser 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 
Harry Jones 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Earl Lamb 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Albert C. Painsipp 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Distinguished Conduct Medal 
Victor Peterson 

Distinguished Service Cross 
William J. Sattler 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Eli Shapiro 

Distinguished Service Cross 



Privates, First Class 

Felix Bird 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

Sidney Hatch 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Lawrence A. Vizenor 

Distinguished Service Cross 

John R. Waterhouse 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Privates 

Harvey E. Camell 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Louis Cecilia 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
Fred Cummins 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
Gilbert R. Dalton 

Distinguished Service Cross 
PhilHp E. Duff 

Distinguished Service Cross 
William C. Frieson 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
Edward Fogarty 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 
Louis M. Giesecke 

Distinguished Service Cross 
George C. Heuth 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 
Sidney Holzman 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Henry Hoy 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Ingeman Jensen 

Distinguished Service Cross 
George Korsysko 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Berger Loman 

Medal of Honor 

Medaille Militaire 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
William Loeffler 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 
Melvin Myhrune 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Atilio Nucci 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 
Edward J. Powers 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
Charles Schultz 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Harry Shelly 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Medaille Militaire 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

Distinguished Conduct Medal 



350 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

James J. Snyder Fred R. Wilkins 

Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Cross 

Carl Swanson The Military Medal 

Distinguished Service Cross 

CITATIONS FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR 

Captain George H. Mallon: 

In Forges Wood, September 26, 1918, becoming separated from the balance of his company 
because of a fog, Captain Mallon, with nine soldiers, pushed forward and attacked nine active 
hostile machine guns, capturing all of them without the loss of a man. Continuing on through 
the woods, he led his men in attacking a battery of four 155-millimeter howitzers which were in 
action, rushing the position and capturing the battery and its crew. In this encounter, Captain 
Mallon personally attacked one of the enemy with his fists. Later, when the party came upon 
two more machine guns, this officer sent men to the flanks while he rushed forward directly in 
the face of the fire and silenced the guns, being the first one of the party to reach the nest. The 
exceptional gallantry and determination displayed by Captain Mallon resulted in the capture of 
100 prisoners, eleven machine guns, four 155-millimeter howitzers, and one anti-aircraft gun. 

First Sergeant Johannes S. Anderson, Company B: 

At Consenvoye, October 8, 1018, while his company was being held up by intense artillery 
and machine gun fire, Sergeant Anderson, without aid, voluntarily left the company and worked 
his way to the rear, of the nest that was offering the most stubborn resistance. His advance was 
made through an open area, and under constant hostile fire, but the mission was successfully 
accomplished and Sergeant Anderson not only silenced the gun and captured it, but also brought 
back with him twenty-three prisoners. 

First Sergeant Sydney G. Gumpertz, Company E: 

In Forges Wood, September 26, iqi8, when the advancing line was held up by machine gun 
fire, Sergeant Gumpertz left the platoon of which he was in command and started with two 
other soldiers through a heavy barrage toward the machine gun nest. His two companions soon 
became casualties from bursting shells, but Sergeant Gumpertz continued on alone in the face of 
direct fire from the machine gun, jumped into the nest and silenced the gun, capturing nine of 
the crew. 

Sergeant Willie Sandlin, Company A: 

At Forges Wood, September 26, IQ18, Sergeant Sandlin advanced alone directly on a machine 
gun nest which was holding up the line with its fire. He killed the crew with a grenade and 
enabled the line to advance. Later in the day Sergeant Sandlin attacked alone and put out of 
action two other machine gun nests, setting a splendid example of bravery and coolness to his men. 

Private Berger Loman, Company H: 

Near Consenvoye, October 9, iqi8, when his company had reached a point within 100 yards 
of its objective, to which it was advancing under terrific machine gun fire. Private Loman, volun- 
tarily and unaided, made his way forward, after all others had taken shelter from the direct fire 
of an enemy machine gun. He crawled to a flank position of the gun, and, after killing or cap- 
turing the entire crew, turned the machine gun on the retreating enemy. 

CITATIONS FOR THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 

Colonel Abel Davis: 

Near Consenvoye, October o, IQ18, Colonel Davis' regiment, upon reaching its objective after 
a difficult advance involving two changes of direction, was subjected to a determined counter- 
attack. Disregarding the heavy shell and machine gun fire, Colonel Davis personally assumed 
command, and by his fearless leadership and courage the enemy was driven back. 

Major Brendan J. Dodd: 

Near Consenvoye, October 8, 1018, when the attacking first wave was halted by machine gun 
fire, Major Dodd crossed the line, and, getting in front of the fire, located the direction from 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



351 




WINNERS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR 
Above, left to right: Captain George H. Mallon, First Sergeant Sidney Gumpertz. 
Below, left to right : First Sergeant Johannes S, Anderson, Private Willie Sandlin. 



352 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



which it was coming. He then directed a flanking fire on the stronghold and so encouraged his 
men that the attack was renewed. His great bravery resulted in a highly successful attack, during 
which many of the enemy were killed or captured and a large number of our men who had been 
taken prisoners earlier in the day were rescued. 

Captain Harry A. Chadwick: 

Near Bois du Fays, October ii, 1918, although wounded when placing his machine gun in 
position preparatory to attack, Captain Chadwick remained on duty for several hours, constantly 
exposing himself to fire as he moved along the front line to encourage his men. He remained 
on duty until exhausted by loss of blood. 

Captain Christie F. McCormick: 

Near Consenvoye, October 9, 1918, surrounded by the enemy and unable to communicate 
with the rest of his regiment, Captain McCormick, with only five men, maintained an advanced 
position against a counterattack by picked troops, remaining in this perilous place throughout the 
night under terrific fire of artillery and machine guns until the arrival of supporting troops. 

Captain Robert Wigglesworth: 

Near Consenvoye, October 9, 1918, when the two platoons he was leading in attack were held 
up by terrific fire from two machine guns, Captain Wigglesworth ordered his men to lie down and 
he, single-handed, rushed one nest, killing the gunner and capturing the crew. He then forced 
the surrender of the second gun crew. 

Captain Charles E. Wise: 

Near Bois de Foret, October 12, 1918, when leading his company in advance, Captain Wise 
was severely wounded but continued to lead his men until he became so weak that he was 
unable to advance. He then directed the advance from a shell hole until the command could 
be turned over to the first sergeant, all other officers having become casualties. 

First Lieutenant Ralph W. Stine (deceased): 

Near Forges, September 26, 1918, Lieutenant Stine led a squad which wiped out six machine 
gun nests and put the crews of five others to flight. At the last nest he met stubborn resistance 
and was instantly killed by a sniper as he was advancing upon it at close range. 

Second Lieutenant Homer C. Darling: 

Near Bois du Fays, October 10-12, 1018, exposed to heavy machine gun fire from the front 
and right flank, Lieutenant Darling led his platoon forward through heavy brush, although it 
suffered heavy casualties. He and one other member of his platoon attacked a machine gun 

nest and captured three machine guns and five prisoners. 
In hand-to-hand fighting he personally killed five Ger- 
mans and wounded others. 

Second Lieutenant Arvid W. Gulhrandsen (deceased) : 
Near Bois de Chaume, October 8, 1918, leading his 
platoon against a machine gun nest which was inflicting 
severe casualties on his battalion. Lieutenant Gulhrand- 
sen continued to advance alone in the face of the an- 
nihilating machine gun fire, after fourteen of his men 
were killed about him. Before he reached his objective 
he was killed by machine gun fire. 

Second Lieutenant Theodore V. Nelson (deceased) : 

In the Bois de Chaume, near Consenvoye, October 
9, 1918, when the right platoon of his company was held 
up by machine gun fire. Lieutenant Nelson, alone and 
in the face of direct fire, attacked the gun crew, killing 
the gunner and capturing two prisoners. After reach- 
ing his objective, he was wounded but refused to be 
evacuated and continued to direct the operations of his 
company. When an enemy counterattack forced a 
withdrawal of his company, he ordered the men who 
SECOND LIEUTENANT THEO- were assisting him to the rear to leave him. He later 
DORE V. NELSON died of wounds. 




THE 132ND INFANTRY 



353 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 

Top row: Captain H. F. Chadwick, Lieutenant Homer C. Darling, Major Brendan I ^odd^ 
Second row: Lieutenant Arvid Gulbrandsen, Captain C. F. McCormick, Lieutenant R.^.btine. 
Third row Captain Robert Wigglesworth, Captain Charles E. Wise, Major Harry A. Yagle. 



354 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




Second Lieutenant Albert H. Stout (deceased) : 
In Bois de Foret, October 12, loiS, after 
the battalion objective haci been reached, 
Lieutenant Stout's platoon, which was in the 
front wave, was attacked from the rear by 
enemy troops that had penetrated the line from 
the left. Lieutenant Stout quickly changed his 
position and led his men in a hand-to-hand 
fight. All of the hostile force, forty men and 
six machine guns were killed or captured, 
Lieutenant Stout himself killing three Germans 
and capturing one machine gun. 

Second Lieutenant Earl W. Wall (deceased) : 
In the Bois de Malaumont, October 8, 
1Q18, Lieutenant Wall led a reconnaissance pa- 
trol into the wood. The patrol encountered 
severe machine gun fire, but Lieutenant Wall, 
although twice wounded, continued forward 
with two soldiers until he secured the desired 
information. 

Second Lieutenant Harry A. Yagle: 

At Hamel, July 4, 1018, when digging in 
at his final objective. Lieutenant Yagle came 
under fire from machine guns in a sunken road 
200 yards to the right front. With Sergeant 
Koijane and two Australian soldiers he rushed 
the position and captured eight prisoners. 



THE KING AT MOLLIENS AU BOIS 

The oifficer being decorated is Lieutenant 
(later Major) Yagle. 



First Sergeant Martin E. Smith, Company C: 
At Bois de Chaume, October 9, 1018, 
when his company was held up by heavy 
machine gun fire. Sergeant Smith, under cover 
of a heavy fog, worked his way to the rear of an enemy machine gun crew, which had the range 
on the attacking wave. He opened fire from the rear. The crew, believing itself surrounded by a 
superior force, surrendered. He made two officers and fifteen men his prisoners and took them 
to the rear. 



First Sergeant George B. Webber, Machine Gun Company: 

Near Brieulles, October 8, iqi8, when it appeared evident that his forces would give way 
under the pressure of unusually severe fire, Sergeant Webber jumped forward and, taking com- 
mand of a machine gun crew, led it into the front line, where he remained two days. He 
refused evacuation while suffering from a severe gassing, until he collapsed under the strain. 

Sergeant Monred A. Bordwick, Company C: 

Near Consenvoye, October 8, 1918, Sergeant Bordwick, in charge of a flank patrol of four 
men during an attack, entered a village occupied by the enemy in force and captured forty-two 
prisoners and three machine guns, which were holding up the advance of the battalion from the 
left fiank. He displayed marked courage and ability as a leader. 

Sergeant Samuel E. Casaga, Company A : 

Near St. Maurice, November 4, igi8. Sergeant Casaga was a member of a patrol that was 
stopped on the edge of a wood by machine gun fire. While his comrades returned the fire he 
crawled to the fiank of the enemy's position, disregarding the machine gun fire, and, single- 
handed, captured a prisoner whom he brought back. 

Sergeant Earl Cheevers: 

At Forges Wood, September 26, loiS, Sergeant Cheevers saw four Germans run into a 
dugout. Without orders and armed only with a pistol he entered the dugout and brought out 
twelve prisoners. 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



355 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 

Top row: Second Lieutenant Albert H. Stout, First Sergeant Martin Smith, Sergeant 
Monred A. Bordwick. 

Second row: Sergeants Samuel E. Casaga, Frank A. Koijane, John I. Postula. 

Bottom row: Sergeant Jacob B. Ternig, Corporal John J. DeSmidt, Corporal Harry Jones. 



356 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Serjeant John Francisco, Company M: 

In the Bois de Foret, October 12, 1918, Sergeant Francisco, then a private, displayed remark- 
able heroism and leadership. During the afternoon the enemy made three strong counter- 
attacks, and during these attacks Sergeant Francisco gathered together fragments of squads 
and assumed command of them. He led them against the enemy, approaching from the rear 
of the right flank and was personally responsible for the capture of four machine guns and five 
prisoners. 

Sergeant Frank A. Koijane, Company G: 

At Hamel, July 4, 1018, when digging in at his final objective. Sergeant Koijane came under 
fire of a machine gun in a sunken road 200 yards to the right front. With Lieutenant Yagle 
and two Australian soldiers he rushed the position and captured eight prisoners and the gun. 

Sergeant John I. Postula, Company H : 

Near Forges Wood, September 26, 1Q18, when the advance of his platoon was held up by 
enemy fire, Sergeant Postula advanced alone against a machine gun nest and killed the crew. 
He brought back the gun and his platoon was enabled to renew the advance. He showed marked 
personal bravery under heavy fire. 

Sergeant Lawrence E. Rue, Company E: 

Near Consenvoye, October 8, igi8, Sergeant Rue had led his platoon to its objective when 
orders were received to shift the line in preparation for a counterattack. He thereupon opened 
fire with an automatic rifle and remained behind, under heavy artillery and machine gun fire, 
until the last man of his platoon had reached the designated line. 

Sergeant Jacob B. Ternig, Company C: 

Near Forges Wood, September 26, 1918, Sergeant Ternig had just captured a German captain 
when fire was opened on his platoon from three concealed machine guns. Showing great bravery 
and presence of mind, Sergeant Ternig, who speaks German, ran into the enemy emplacement, 
taking his prisoner with him, and compelled the crews to cease firing. -When this was done his 
platoon was able to advance without loss and take over the positions and thirty prisoners. 




THE REGIMENTAL BAND AT GERMONVILLE 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



357 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 
Top row: Corporals Victor Peterson, William J. Sattler, Eli Shapiro. 
Second row: First Class Privates Felix Bird, Sidney Hatch, John R. Waterhouse. 
Bottom row: Privates Louis Cecilia, Fred Cummins, Philip Duff. 



358 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

Corporal John J. DeSmidt, Company G: 

At Haniel, July 4, 1918, Corporal DeSmidt, when his platoon was under heavy fire from a 
machine gun, located the gun and with the assistance of an Australian crept up to the position, 
seized the gun, and forced the crew to carry it back to our lines. 

Corporal Harry Jones, Company G: 

Near Consenvoye, October 8, 1918, Corporal Jones showed unusual personal bravery when 
his platoon was held up by fire from a machine gun emplacement. Crawling forward alone, he 
worked his way to the flank of the position and rushed it, bayoneting one German and taking 
two prisoners. His action enabled his platoon to advance at once. 

Corporal Earl Lamb, Company F : 

Near Consenvoye, October 9, 191 S, Corporal Lamb, when the advance of his platoon was 
stopped by a machine gun, charged the gun from the flank, wounded one of the gunners, and 
captured the other two members of the gun crew, with the gun. Remaining in an advanced 
position under fire throughout the day, he used the captured gun in breaking up a counterattack. 

Corporal Albert C. Painsipp, Company A : 

At Hamcl, July 4, 1918, Corporal Painsipp, single-handed, attacked a machine gun emplace- 
ment. Although wounded in the leg when a machine gun was trained on him, he boldly attacked 
it with hand grenades and drove off the crew. 

Corporal Victor Peterson, Company H: 

Near Forges, September 26, 1918, when his platoon was held up by a heavy flanking machine 
gun fire. Corporal Peterson advanced alone ahead of the platoon, on his own initiative, and 
successfully cleaned up a machine gun nest with hand grenades and captured the gun. 

Corporal William J. Sattler, Headquarters Company: 

At Bois de Foret, October 6-13, 1018, Corporal Sattler was in charge of all runners at the 
advance post of command of the regiment. Although so seriously gassed that his eyes were 
swollen shut and his voice was affected, he refused to be evacuated, but continued on duty. 
October 10, when all runners were wounded or gassed or killed, he repeatedly carried many 
messages in order to maintain communication. 

Corporal Eli Shapiro, Company D : 

Near Forges, September 26, 1918, after having been severely wounded. Corporal Shapiro 
continued to lead his squad in the entire attack, which lasted several hours, and he remained 
until his objective had been reached and his squad sheltered. 

Private (First Class) Felix Bird: 

Near Consenvoye, October 9, 191 8, advancing alone against a dugout. Private Bird captured 
forty-nine of the enemy and killed one officer, who attempted to escape. 

Private (First Class) Sidney Hatch, Headquarters Company: 

Near BrieuUes, October 11, 1918, after being wounded by a shell which hurled him into a 
hole, Private Hatch made a trip to battalion headquarters, carrying a message from his platoon, 
and, after returning, assisted in carrying ammunition until the sergeant discovered that he had 
been wounded and sent him to the aid station. 

Private (First Class) Lawrence A. Vizenor, Company I: 

In the Bois du Fays, October 8, 1918, Private Vizenor was with a reconnaissance patrol which 
met such heavy machine gun fire that a part of the patrol was driven back. Private Vizenor, 
with one officer and another private, continued forward until the desired information was se- 
cured. The officer was mortally wounded, but Private Vizenor and his comrade silenced the 
machine gun, carried the officer to the rear, and reported the information they had obtained 
about the enemy's position. 

Private (First Class) John R. Waterhouse: 

Near Bois de Chaume, October 8, 1918, Private Waterhouse advanced 200 yards ahead of his 
platoon into the woods, where he surprised the Germans, taking twenty-six prisoners and driving 
them back to his own trench with their hands up. 

Private Harvey E. Cornell, Company M: 

Near Brieulles, October 10, 1918, after seeing several other runners fail in the attempt to get 
through a violenj. barrage. Private Camell volunteered and carried the message through to his 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



359 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 
Top row : First Class Private Lawrence A. Vizenor, Privates Louis M. Giesecke, and Sid- 
ney Holzman. 

Bottom row: Privates Henry Hoy, Edward J. Powers, Harry Shelly. 



battalion commander. In the entire action of October 6-13 he performed most valiant service in 
maintaining liaison between his company and battalion headquarters. 

Private Louis Cecilia, Company (7; 

Near Consenvoye, October 8, 1018, while his company was being held up by machine gun 
fire, Private Cecilia crawled to a point within ten yards of the nest and bombed out the enemy 
so that they came under fire from our guns and were killed. Cecilia was wounded by enemy 
bombs. 



Private Fred Cummins, Company F: 

Near Consenvoye, October 0, 1018, Private Cummins, single-handed, captured a machine 
gun, killing one of the crew and routing the others. He then turned the gun on the crew with 
great effectiveness, protecting the right flank of his battalion. Later in the day he volunteered 
and rescued an outpost of three men, which was surrounded by the enemy. He performed these 
missions with great courage, initiative, and bravery, subjected to severe fire throughout. 



36o ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

Bugler Gilbert R. Dalton, Company M: 

At Bois de Malaumont, October 9, 1918, Bugler Dalton and an officer were making a 
reconnaissance. They were suddenly fired upon by machine guns. Together they rushed the 
guns. The officer was wounded and unable to take cover. Bugler Dalton ran across an open 
space, exposing himself to short range machine gun fire, and carried the officer to safety. 

Private Philip Duff, Company E: 

Near Consenvoyc, on October 9, 1918, Private Duff carried a message from his company to 
the battalion commander while exposed to terrific machine gun fire. Later when reinforcements 
were required, he volunteered to lead the supporting company to its position and took it to the 
spot where it was needed. 

Private Louis M. Giesecke, Company I : 

Near Brieulles, October 9-12, loiS, Private Giesecke administered first aid to many comrades 
under heavy shell fire and assisted them to the aid station. When his company was in need of 
water he went alone under heavy machine gun fire, under direct view of the enemy, and procured 
it. After his platoon serseant and other noncommissioned officers had become casualties, Private 
Giesecke took charge of the platoon, displaying unusual leadership. 

Private Sidney Holzman, Machine Gun Company: 

In Bois de Forct, October 10, 1918, after six runners had been killed or wounded in 
attempts to get through heavy shell fire with an important message from the regimental 
commander of the Thirty-ninth Infantry to the regimental commander of the Fifty-ninth Infantry, 
Private Holzman, with IPrivate James J. Snyder, responded to a call for volunteers and succeeded 
in delivering the message. 

Private Henry Hoy, Company A: 

Near Forges, September 26, 1918, Private Hoy saw a hand grenade drop near an officer of 
his company, endangering not only the officer's life, but also the lives of many members of 
the company. Rushing to the spot, he picked up the bomb and hurled it in the direction of 
the enemy. It exploded in the air and the lives of his comrades were saved. 

Private Ingeman Jensen, Machine Gun Company: 

Near Bois du Fays, October 9, 1918, Private Jensen was wounded, but returned to the front 
line immediately after he had had his wound dressed. He was wounded a second time and was 
ordered to the rear, but returned to the line, where he was wounded a third time and then 
carried to the rear on a stretcher. 

Private George Korsysko. (deceased), Company H: 

Near Forges, September 26, 1018, Private Korsysko, single-handed, attacked and captured 
several machine guns, killing the gunners with hand grenades. While thus engaged he was killed. 

Private Melvin Myhrune, Company K: 

Near Brieulles, October 7, 1918, the patrol of which Private Myhrune was a member was 
under constant and exacting machine gun and rifle fire. After the officer in charge had been 
wounded and the patrol scattered, he returned to his company and voluntarily acted as guide 
for stretcher-bearers to bring in the wounded officer. Being unable to locate him. Private Myhrune 
remained and searched, during which time he was twice wounded. He led a second group of 
stretcher-bearers to the spot where the officer was finally found, and then assisted in carrying 
him to the rear before reporting for treatment. 

Private Edivard J. Powers, Machine Gun Company: 

Near Bois du Fays, October 9, 1918, Private Powers, after being wounded, received treatment 
at a first-aid station, from which he was consigned to a hospital. Throwing away his evacuation 
ticket, he returned to the front line, where he acted as runner until the company was relieved, 
when he was removed to a hospital. 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



361 



Private Charles Schultz (deceased), Company H: 

Near Forges, September 26, 1918, while his platoon was being held up by fire of a machine 
gun, Private Schultz braved the hazardous lire by going forward and driving out the crew, after 
which he captured the gun. He died from wounds received in the exploit. 

Private Harry Shelly, Company A : 

Near Hamel, July 4, 1918, Private Shelly went out with an Australian soldier, silenced 
a sniping post and brought back eight prisoners. 

Private James J. Snyder, Machine Gun Company: 

Near Bois de Foret, October 10, 1918, after si.x runners had been killed or wounded in 
attempts to get through heavy shell fire with an important message from the regimental com- 




A VIEW OF THE TOWN OF BECH, LUXEMBURG 

One of the towns in which units of the 132nd were quartered. 



mander of the Thirty-ninth Infantry to the regimental commander of the Fifty-ninth Infantry, 
Private Snyder, with Private Sidney Holzman, responded to a call for volunteers and succeeded 
in delivering the message. He was seriously gassed. 

Private Carl Sivanson (deceased). Company K: 

Near Brieulles, October 9-12, 1918, when attempting to rescue a wounded officer, who was 
lying exposed to terrific machine gun fire. Private Swanson was killed. For four days previously, 
in the performance of his duties as stretcher-bearer, he had rendered valuable service in administer- 
ing first-aid to the wounded and carrying them to places of safety, working at all times under 
most perilous fire. 



Private R. A. Wilkins, Company A: 

At Hamel, July 4, 1918, Private Wilkins, unaided, attacked a machine gun position with 
hand grenades, drove off the gun crew, and captured the gun. 



362 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 13 2ND INFANTRY WHO WERE CITED FOR GALLANTRY 
BY GENERAL PERSHING AND GENERAL BELL 

t Received citations both from General Bell and General Pershing. 
* Received citation only from General Pershing. 
All others were cited only by General Bell. 



Lieutenant Colonel 
t James H. Stansfield 

Major 

Edward Bittel 
t John J. Bullington 
Paul C. Gale 
William E. Kendall 

Captains 

Gail T. Aid 
Jay T. Baughan 
Albert V. Becker 
Claude H. Craig 
Oscar J. Dorman 
Hobert G. Hagan 
George W. Kartell 
R. G. Howie 
Albert H. Hundermack 

* William J. Masoner 

* Charles J. McNamee 
John E. Newhouse 
Roger K. Thompson ^. 
John R. Weaver ' -': 
Norman B. Wood 

First Lieutenants 

Philipp E. Bierdeman 
Joseph V. Coughlin 
Henry S. Dutch 
Howard B. Gregory 
Orville Gridley 

* Julian W. Jacobs 
Clarence A. Loeffler 
Otto Lohman 

Ray Meisenhelter 
Joseph Novak 

* John L. O'Donnell 
Howard A. Sanders 

* Frank E. Schram 
Harry A. Squires 

t Peter P. Staniszewski 
Henry M. Wilcox 

* Ross L. Williams 

Second Lieutenants 
Harry G. Dean 
Kenneth D. Fisher 

* Michael M. Komorowsky 

* Theodore V. Nelson 

Battalion Sergeant Major 
t Alfred W. Heuer 



First Sergeant 

t John L. Kearney 
Russell E. Norman 
Martin E. Smith 

Sergeant 

DeForest Andrews 
Vivian C. Badger 
Henry Baker 
George H. Bates 
John W. Bayerski 
Hames Bays 
tjohn J. Bell 
William R. Biehl 
Leo M. Boyle 
David E. Caesar 
Jess W. Cagle 
William E. Casaga 
Edward L. Colfer 
William F. Coyle 
William E. Crouch 
Aaron L. Datin 
Thomas K. Davey 
Harry Dawson 
Ernest Desremaux 
James Diver 
George Drenek 
Kenneth Ebey 
Aubrey B. Elsworth 
Harry Faiks 
Anthony Ferrandina 
t Romeo J. Fortier 
Wesley Foster 
Robert F. Freeman 
Henry H. Gibbs 
Albert J. Gitterman 
David C. Greis 
Joseph Grogan 
Emmons Harries 
Paul J. Healy 
Mike N. Heledones 
Paul Homedw 
George Hrusko 
Geoffrey L. Hubbard 
Joseph Janowski 
Theodore Jasinski 
Harry Jones 
Alphonoso P. Junguera 
Michael Kaczmarek 
Gedeminas Karalus 
Frank Karge 
Ambrose A. Klemp 
Frank J. Kurent 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



363 



Edwin T. Kmka. 
John C. Kwiatkowski 
Louis J. LaBudd 
Thomas Markowski 
John J. McKenna 
John Mclnerney 
Carl A. Meinersman 
George W. Miller 
t Jack Milloy 
Duane D. Morris 
Frank Mitchell 
Thomas W. Murry 
John T. Ness 
Walter A. Neubiser 
James A. O'Connell 
James R. O'Donnell 
Joseph Okerbloom 
Charles E. Paterson 
Cordie E. Paterson 
Albert J. Piper 
John I. Postula 
James Reynolds 
Peter S. Richlowski 
Herbert Rommell 
James I. Ryan 
Lawrence E. Rue 
Ralph Salisbury 
Edmund S. Samuelson 
t Elof Sandstrom 
Alfred Schmidt 
William R. Shaw 
Frank W. Sisco 
Barney Slusinski 
Frank P. Spikens 
Charles O. Stemm 
Wm. C. Steyrbaut 
Benjamin H. Taylor 
George Timmerman 
Henry E. Tonning 
Edward G. Trebing 
George M. Trost 
Frank J. Ulrich 
John K. Vorres 
Albert Van Thyne 
Edward J. Wagner 
Royce V. Wallace 

Corporals 

Samuel F. Aiken 
Howard T. Ball 
Irving Beaton 
Emery E. Blakesley 
Walter F. Bloom 
Thomas Bloomerfield 
Fred Bertog 
Nikola Brkovich 
Patrick J. Burke 
Harry Bystrom 
Harry Calahan 



William J. Campbell 

Nevin W. Chestnut 

Frank Chiastka 

Harry M. Cubecheck 

James E. Coupland 

Harry P. Delss 

Frank Diblik 

Arthur Dumont 

William Fasel 

Fred J. Fencel 
* Robert C. Eraser 
t William J. Friesen 

Martin F. Garry 

Hanry Gaillier 

Arthur L. Gainer 

Armin L. Grahlfs 

t George C. Hueth 

Stanley N. Jaske 

Walter N. Johnsoa 
Vornie V. Kagay 
Joseph Koslowski 
Stanley J. Kowalski 
Walter Kristkstans 
Arthur W. Lewis 
Alex L. Losinski 
John J. McCafferty 
* James J. McCarthy 
Lorenzo Martinez 
Frank Middone 
Theodore J. Miller 
Fred W. Morris 
George A. Nickas 
Harold J. O'Connell 
Louis Olson 
Dee Pickenpaugh 
Edward F. Pozan 
William Prignitz 
Antony Ptak 
Frank D. Pullen 
Leo Rose 
Sam Salpietro 
Frank J. Sedor 
Benjamin Shapiro 
Howard M. Silver 

t Lewis P. Simpson 
Irwin S. Slack 
John J. Snyder 
Thomas P. Tibbets 
Julius E. Timm 
Bruno Tutkowski 
Joseph Vacke 
Frank J. Vodvarka 
Paul E. Watson 
Walter Weatherford 
John R. White 

Buglers 

Merle Baker 
t John B, House 



364 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Mechanics 

Hugh Campbell 
Norman E. Dahl 
Frank Gulezynski 
Gale C. Kenney 
William McGuire 
John J. Miller 
Frank J. Slovick 
Mike Tecco 
Norman C. Wall 

Wagoner 

Ralph Wagoner 

Cooks 

Robert Brosn 
George W. Gillman 

Privates, First Class 
t Wm. Augaitis 
t Demos Mandis 
* Oscar Tingsbad 

Privates 

Cecil A. Acherer 
Christ Aems 
Ralph Akins 
Herbert H. Allen 
Charles E. Almgren 
Melville Amerson 
Charles A. Anderson 
Ole A. Anderson 
Albert Andis 
Marion Avery 
Joe R. Auer 
Raymond Babb 
Robert Bangert 
Charles H. Barber 
Louis Barheri 
Edward N. Bauer 
Tony Bayorin 
Albert Beardsley 
Charles Becker 
Ray G. Beckwith 
Rainey K. Benson 
William R. Bishop 
Frank Bourquin 
Atmore L. Brown 
Sam Brownstein 
Felix Burlinski 
Oswald H. Burmeister 
Pistro Capadona 
Daniel Capu'li 
Peter Carloftis 
Bruce Carruthers 
John H. Carvell 
Chanis C. Chanisian 
Anton Churas 
Alexander Clausen 
Joseph Colantino 



Guy A. Colburn 
Walter C. Consoer 
Morris Dagovitz 
Edmo C. Darl 
Henry DeLong 
Rudolph T. Demuth 
Charles Domazlicky 
John F. Donarski 
Felix Donash 
John G. Doyle 
Philip Duff 

* Charles O. Ebey 
William Egan 
Louis Egansky 
Emil Ellison 
Sam Epstein 
Anthony Erickson 
Frank G. Erickson 
Stanislaw Daniel Ewicz 
Christ Fasseas 

Tedor Fedorwicz 
t Charles C. Flanagan 

* Edward Fogarty 
John C. Frye 
George Furhman 
Anthony Gardner 
Paul Gerstenberg 
Joseph Gibisch 
Paul Glodowich 
Michael Gosh 
William Greminger 
Clarence Gierman 
Allen W. Griggs 
Stanley Gulbin 
John Hanses 
Walter Hanson 

* Frank S. Hazlett 
Walter Heller 
Lester Henrioulle 
Lawrence Hickey 
Gustav Hills 
Charles Horstman 
Henry Hoy 
John Hradek 
Eugene Iberg 
John Jajkowski 
Joseph Jankowski 
Robert C. Johnson 
William Johnson 
Paul Kanosa 
Matthew W. Karp 
Powell Kelly 
James A. Kenyon 
James C. Kenyon 
Duke J. Killeen 
Edward S. Kinnetz 
James W. Koknaisl 

* Ernest J. Kruse 
Edward F. Kubiak 
Floyd Leavens 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



365 



William Lchr, Jr. 
John H. Leisson 
William Lewandowski 
t William Loefflcr 
Earl F. Loftus 
John J. Lydon 
Ernest Magnuson 
William Majewski 
Frank Malano 
Bruce X. Martin 
Joseph Martin 
Rudolph Masek 
Irvin Mayer 
Sergano Maritano 
Andrew Mazzolini 
Chester D. Miller 
Ivy C. Mills 
Patrick Moran 
Frank V. Moore 
Fred Morgan 
Evan J. Morris 
Torrence Murphy 
WUlfred J. Murphy 
James J. Naghton 
* Luigi Napoli 
Charles Neuman 
Frank C. Novak 
t Attilo Nucci 
James J. O'Boyle 
John R. O'Bryant 
Gustaf Okerstedt 
Arthur P. Olsen 
Claire V. Parker 
William J. Perry 
Leslie Pancake 
Paul G. Person 
John Pitkus 
Sam Pizula 
Walter D. Poling 
Theodore Presvozney 
Joseph Quinan 
John L. Rae 
Jess Reed 
Ernest C. Reese 
Ledon E. Rice 
Julius Richter 



John Rodenbour 
John Rogowski 
Paul L. Rude 
Edwin L. Ryan 
Edward Ryoz 
John R. Sawyer 
Maurice L. Seittmatter 
David L. Scaro 
Henri Schoon 
Romeo Scully 
Arthur Schultz 
Harry Shochat 
Raymond Sievens 
Glen Sisler 
G. Squllsciotti 
Jerry J. Smatlak 
Paul T. Smeskol 
John J. Smith 
Raymond C. Smith 
George Snodgrass 
Walter Stankwicz 
Arthur G. Stratton 
Leo L. Tessmer 
Morgan Thompson 
George F. Thornton 
John M. Tipton 
Jacob Vandergeon 
Alphonse Van Nevel 
Frank Vega 
Lawrence A. Vizenor 

Arthur Volmer 

John W. Wagner 

William E. Walsh 

John R. Waterhouse 
*Paul E. Watson 

Commodore P. Weirauch 

Ira C. Wells 

Louis A. Wendt 

William J. Wenz 

Frank Will 

Carl William 

Clarence Wishop 

Anton Zaonawicia 

Anthony F. Zebrowski 

John Zelinski 

Bernard Zrukowski 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 132ND INFANTRY WHO WERE AWARDED CERTIFICATES 

FOR ESPECIALLY MERITORIOUS AND CONSPICUOUS SERVICE 

BY GENERAL PERSHING 



Lieutenant Colonel 

James H. Stansfield 

Major 

William E. Kendall 



Corporal 

John Butler 

Private 

Herman J. Friedman 



Captain 

Gail T. Aid 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



367 



OFFICERS WHO SERVED WITH u-^nd INFANTRY OVERSEAS 



Colonel 

Abel Davis 

Lieutenant Colonel 

James H. Stansfield 

Majors 

Bertram O. Buchanan 

John J. Bullington (Later Lieutenant 

onel 130th Infantry 
Brendan J. Dodd 
Paul C. Gale 

William E. Kendall, M. C. 
William L. Krigbaum 
John M. Lavin, M. C. 
Hamlet C. Ridgway 
Vester J. Thompson 
Harry A. Yagle 

Captains 

GaU T. Aid 
Jay T. Baughan 
Albert V. Becker 
Raymond V. Brandt, D. C. 
James T. Burns 
Harry R. Chadwick 
Claude H. Craig 
Perry Daubenfeld 
Ernest V. Dickson 
Oscar J. Dorman 
Lafayette French, Jr. 
Alexander W. Goodwin 
Eugene Green 
Howard B. Gregory 
Robert C. Hagan 
George W. Hartell 
Waldo E. Hikes 
Thomas R. Hudson 
A. M. Hundermack, M. C. 
John R. Hyatt 
Louis Lazar 
Otto Lohman, M. C. 
George H. Mallon 
William J. Masoner 
Christie F. McCormick 

Charles J. McNamee 

Wier M. Murphy 

John E. Newhouse, M. C. 

John L. O'Donnell, Chaplain 

Frederick E. Rand (later Major) 

Verne N. Richeson, M. C. 

Frank E. Schram, M. C. 

William E. Shay, D. C. 

Roger K. Thompson 

Earl W. Vickery 

John R. Weaver 

Robert Wigglesworth 

Charles E. Wise 

Franklin Wood (deceased) 

Norman B. Wood 



Col- 



First Lieutenants 

Harold B. Beebe 

Philip E. Bierdeman 

Robert G. Childs 

Harry Cohen 

Joseph V. Coughlin 

George A. Crafton, M. C. 

Wallace Daggett 

Henry S. David 

Frank M. Dolven 

Charles D. Drnek 

Henry S. Dutch 

Thomas J. Felton 

F. N. Fitzsimmons 

Addison M. Flint 

David T. Gillmor, Chaplain's Corps 

Robert C. Gise 

Orville Gridley 

James O. Grubb 

Glenn R. Hardy 

Charles C. Hertwig 

Robert G. Howie (later Captain) 

Julian W. Jacobs 

Robert J. Jordan (later Captain) 

Michael M. Komorowsky 

Arthur H. Larson 

Oscar E. LaVallie 

Howard L. Lesley 

Clarence A. Loeffler 

Samuel J. Lusk 

Lincoln E. Maher 

John J. Mahoney, Jr. 

Curtis Markel 

Herbert C. Markuson 

Charles J. Martin 

Roderick W. Mason 

William C. McConnell 

James H. McCorkle 

Melvin B. McGuigan (later Captain) 

Ray W. Meisenhelter 

H. P. Milet, Chaplain's Corps 

Maurice J. Moriarity 

Herman B. Nash 

H. W. Nofs 

Joseph Novak 

Frederick A. Prince 

John A. Prosser 

Thomas A. Pyterman 

Roy T. Quick 

Edward J. Renth 

Karl F. Rheinfrank 

Howard A. Sanders 

Walter E. Scholes 

William L. Schommer 

C. C. Simpson 

Fred C. Slager 

Thomas W. Smith 

William R. Snyder 



368 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




CAPTAINS OF THE 13 2ND INFANTRY 

Top row: Jay T. Baughan, Albert V. Becker, Claude H. Craig, Perry Daubenfeld. 
Second row: Oscar J. Dorman, Eugene Green, Howard B. Gregory, George W. Hartell. 
Third row: Waldo E. Hikes, A. M. Hundermack, John R. Hyatt, Otto Lohman. 
Bottom row: Charles J. McNamee, Wier M. Murphy, Verne N. Richeson, Frank E. Schram. 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



369 




CAPTAINS OF THE 132ND INFANTRY 
Top row: William E. Shay, Roger K. Thompson, Earl W. Vickery, Franklin Wood. 
Bottom row: Norman B. Wood, W. E. Duddles, Oscar W. Hogstedt, Thomas R. Hudson. 



Earl E. Spainhower 

P. P. Staniszewski 

Harry A. Squires 

Ralph W. Stine (deceased) 

Elmer W. Swanson 

Charles A. Thomas 

R. E. Thomas 

Chauncey Tilden 

R. B. Weimer 

William H. Wildes (later Captain) 

Ross L. Williams (deceased) 

William S. Wolf, Jr. (deceased) 

Earl W. Wyman 

Second Lieutenants 

Obediah R. Adams 

D. V. B. Allen 

Austin Besancon 

Raymond W. Boynton 

Arthur J. Bruggerman 

Arthur S. Bussey 

J. M. Camp 

Wallace J. Casey 

Frederick C. Creighton 

Homer C. Darling 

James I. Dappert (deceased) 



W. W. Davidson 

Harry C. Dean 

Joseph R. Dillon 

August Douglas 

Ernest W. Duckett 

P. M. D wight 

Talton Embry 

Carl W. Englund 

Kenneth D. Fisher 

Luke F. Flanagan 

Albert T. Flynn 

Charles L. Green 

Arvid W. Gulbrandsen (deceased) 

Albert Haase 

Walter B. Harris, Jr. 

Walter W. Hannewald 

Charles C. Harvey 

M. H. Hawkins 

William G. Heilman 

Hoke I. Home 

Robert W. Ingram 

Joe Jenkins 

Louis Katz 

Lester W. Kern 

Albert J. Knox 

William H. Lacy 



370 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Rowland Lee 

John C. Littell 

William J. Luke 

H. Dudley MacFarlane 

Wilbur A. Mathews (deceased) 

William Murphy 

Theodore Nelson 

Harry J. Newman 

Reo L. Patterson 

John W. Phillips 

Raymond Preston (deceased) 

H. F. Rassmussen 

J. A. Rollins 

Howard E. Rutishauser 

Marion F. Samples 



Alfred C. Schmidt 
William H. Schrof 
Albert Scown 
Raymond C. Smith 
Albert Stanford 
Albert H. Stout (deceased) 
Wilfred H. Turcotte 
Harry L. Valence 
Lee H. Wagner 
Thompson W. Walker 
Earl L. Wall (deceased) 
Kenneth E. Watson 
Lyle E. White 
Henry M. Wilcox 
Frank T. Wilson 



OFFICERS WHO WERE WITH REGIMENT DURING TR.\INING CAMP PERIOD 



Colonel 

John J. Garrity 

Lieutenant Colonel 
Arthur Rehm 

Majors 

Joseph E. Brady 
Philip H. Girard 
William Hoinville 

Captains 

Frank W. Adams 

W. E. Duddles 

Joseph C. Grayson 

Arthur L. Hart (later Major) 

Oscar W. Hogstedt (deceased) 

Axel H. Nelson, 

Fred E. Nussbaumer 

John E. Vanatta 



First Lieutenants 
W. Leo Brown 
Frederick C. Dierstein 
Davis B. Doron 
Edmund J. Dymek 
Ralph A. Gerhart 
Wm. M. Johnson 
Vern R. Longstreet 
Harry G. Pierce 
Fritz A. Pierson 
Clare Purcell 

Second Lieutenants 

Walter E. Boeddinghaus 
Leonard Hensen 
George W. Kuhnbaum 
George R. Lynch 
Everette H. Skinner 




A STREET IN VERDUN 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



371 




FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE 132ND INFANTRY 

Left to right, top row: Harold B. Beebe, Philip E. Bierdeman, Robert G. Childs, H. S. Dutch. 
Second row: Glenn R. Hardy, Charles C. Hertwig, M. M. Komorowsky, Howard L. Lesley. 
Third row: Samuel J. Lusk, James H. McCorkle, Roderick W. Mason, Charles J. Martin. 
Fourth row: Ray W. Meisenhelter, H. P. Milet, Joseph Novak, T. A. Pyterman. 



372 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




LIEUTENANTS OF THE 13 2nd INFANTRY 
Top row: First Lieutenants H. S. David, Charles D. Drnek, J. W. Jacobs, W. M. Johnson. 
Second row: First Lieutenants A. H. Larson, C. A. Loeffler, L. ' E. Maher, J. J. Mahoney, Jr. 
Third row: First Lieutenants Harry G. Pierce, F. A. Prince, Karl F. Rheinfrank, W. H. Wildes. 
Bottom row: Second Lieutenants W. W. Davidson, L. F. Flanagan, J. W. Phillips, Albert Scown. 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



373 




FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE 132ND INFANTRY 
Top row: W. Leo Brown, Joseph V. Coughlin, Frank Fitzsimnions, Curtis MarkeL 
Second row: Edward J. Renth, H. W. Nofs, Howard A. Sanders, Walter E. Scholes. 
Third row: William L. Schommer, C. C. Simpson, William R. Snyder, E. E. Spainhower. 
Bottom row: Peter P. Staniszewski, Roy B. Weimer, William S. Wolf, Jr., Earl W. Wyman. 



374 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




SECOND LIEUTENANTS OF THE 132ND INFANTRY 
Top row: Daniel V. B. Allen, Raymond W. Boynton, Arthur S. Bussey, Harry C. Dean. 
Second row: Joseph R. Dillon, Carl W. Englund, Kenneth D. Fisher, Albert T. Flynn. 
Third row: Charles C. Harvey, Hoke I. Home, Albert J. Knox, H. Dudley MacFarlane. 
Bottom row: H. B. Nash and E. W. Swanson (first lieutenants), H. W. Wilcox, Lee H. Wagner, 



THE 132ND INFANTRY 



375 




SECOND LIEUTENANTS OF THE 13 2nd INFANTRY 
Top row: H. Cohen (first lieutenant), F. C. Creighton, J. Ivan Dappert, E. W. Duckett. 
Second row: Talton Embry, Charles L. Green, Walter Hannewald, John C. Littell. 
Third row: Wilbur E. Mathews, Theodore V. Nelson, H. E. Rutishauser, M. F. Samples. 
Fourth row: Albert H. Stout, Harry L. Valence, Earl L. Wall, Kenneth E. Watson. 




THE VIEW ACROSS FORGES SWAMP 



The 124th Machine Gun Battalion 

Major Floyd F. Putman, Editor 

HE military units which later were to constitute 
the 124th Machine Gun Battalion were called 
to active duty three weeks before the United 
States declared a state of war with Germany. 
As companies of the Fifth and Seventh Infan- 
try Regiments, Illinois National Guard, they 
were scattered over two states to guard power 
plants, railroad bridges, and other important 
establishments. They served in this manner 
until September, 191 7, when most of the Illi- 
nois National Guard regiments were assembled 
at Camp Logan, to be reorganized as the 
Thirty-third Division. 

In the necessary cutting up of the Fifth 
and Seventh Regiments, orders for which were 
issued on October 10, Company L (from Decatur), Company D (from Bloom- 
ington), and Company C (from Springfield) of the old Fifth were designated 
as Companies A, B, and C of the new 124th Machine Gun Battalion. Later 
when the War Department ordered that brigade machine gun battalions be 
composed of four companies, the unit that had been the machine gun com- 
pany of the old Seventh, a Chicago regiment, was added to the 124th as Com- 
pany D. 

Major Floyd F. Putman, who had commanded the first battalion of the 
Fifth Infantry, was placed in command of the 124th. First Lieutenant 

377 




378 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




MAJOR FLOYD F. PUTMAN 

Commander of the 124th Machine Gun Battalion. 



Clarence H. Woods was made 
adjutant. 

Although short of equipment, 
the battalion made rapid progress 
at Camp Logan. Officers and 
men drilled faithfully to perfect 
themselves in the science of the 
new warfare, being greatly aided 
by Lieutenant E. R. Robinson, of 
the British military mission, who 
had been assigned to the battalion 
as instructor. By May, 191 8, 
when sailing orders were received, 
the unit was as proficient as could 
have been expected under the cir- 
cumstances. 

The battalion left Camp Lo- 
gan on May 6, sailed from Ho- 
boken on May 16 on the transport 
Mount Vernon, and landed at 
Brest ten days later, after lying in 
the harbor for forty-eight hours. 
After three days at Pontanezen barracks, the unit proceeded by rail and 
on foot to the little village of Cerisy-Beuleux, where the men had their first ex- 
perience with billets. 

On June 9 the final training began at Grandcourt, in a British area. 
Opportunity was given battalion and company commanders to visit the 
trenches, while the other officers and non-commissioned officers received a 
course of instruction in a British machine gun school at Val-du-Roi. On 
June 21 the battalion was transferred to the machine gun range at Pont 
Remy, on the Somme, where intensive drill in the actual use of guns was 
carried on until July i. Then the unit marched to Molliens-aux-Bois and 
set up a shelter tent camp within a short distance of the front line. 

The fighting service of the battalion began during this stay in Molliens- 
aux-Bois. The British system of training new troops included, as a final 
stage, the use of small detachments in the line. At frequent intervals groups 
of men from the battalion would slip quietly from the cover of the forest and 
go into the front trenches with their British allies. 

Companies C and D were the first to go forward in this manner. On 
July 16 they marched up to the Baizieux-Warloy line, part of the British 
Third Corps front, and held the positions under fire for twenty-four hours. 
Companies A and B relieved them on July 17 and were assigned to a similar 
tour of duty. Then, for five days, officers and men were attached to units of 
the Forty-seventh and Fifty-eighth Machine Gun Battalions, British Ex- 
peditionary Forces, for observation. 



THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



379 



Having had their first taste of trench Hfe under the chaperonage ot 
their British comrades the Ilhnoisans were judged ready for independent 
service. On July 25 Companies A and B reheved units of the Forty-seventh 
British Battalion and held the front line for four days. A day later Com- 
panies C and D took the place of units of the Fifty-eighth British Battalion 
for a four-day tour of duty. 

After this experience the battalion moved to Baizieux, and on August 
6 and 7 it relieved units of the British Forty-seventh, Fiftieth, Fifty-eighth 
and Twelfth Machine Gun Battalions in the Lavieville support system and 
the right front system, holding the line until the 123rd Machine Gun Bat- 
talion took over the positions on August 11. 

Four days later the battalion was moved from the British sector to 
Querrieu Wood, where the Australians were on the line. It was stationed 
in a valley near Vaux-sur-Somme to act as the machine gun reserve of the 
Australian Liaison Force, serving in this capacity until August 20, when the 
liaison force was disbanded and the battalion's service with the British came 
to an end. 

The training in the British line had been of great benefit to the battalion. 
Colonel Portal, commander of the Forty-seventh Battalion, had shown an 
admirable spirit of helpfulness, and officers and men alike had given the 
Americans the full benefit of their experiences in the trenches. 

The training period had not baen devoid of activity, either. While the 
first tours were in the nature of practice maneuvers, the later trips to the 
line came at the beginning of the last great Somme offensive, and the II- 
linoisans took part in attacks on the German trenches. 




TRENCHES IN THE BRITISH SECTOR 
The roll of the country in the British sector was dimly reminiscent of the prairies of Illinois. 



38o 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Two men of the battalion 
were killed and six were wound- 
ed during the service with the 
British. 

On August 20 the battalion 
was transferred to Guerpont, in 
the French area, for active serv- 
ice. The men were equipped 
again with the American guns 
which they had exchanged for 
British pieces while on the Somme, 
and they engaged in intensive 
training until September 6. 

Then they were sent to the 
Dead Man's Hill sub-sector near 
V'erdun. Company C, the Sprmg- 
field unit, occupied positions at 
Raffecourt, and Company D, the 
Chicago unit, went into reserve 
on the slopes of Dead Man's Hill. 
The other companies remained at 
Longbut farm, awaiting disposi- 
tion for the Franco-American of- 
fensive. 
ON THE SLOPE OF DEAD MAN'S HILL ^he offensive was not long 

in coming. On the morning of September 24 Companies C and D rear- 
ranged their positions in preparation for laying a machine gun barrage in 
support of attacking waves of infantry, while Companies A and B were 
sent to strategic positions in the Ravine des Caurettes. Two days later the 
whole Thirty-third Division was in action with the opening of the Meuse- 
Argonne drive. 

Aided by detachments from the 122nd Machine Gun Battalion and the 
machine gun companies of the 131st and 132nd Infantry, the 124th par- 
ticipated in the Forges attack. The initial advance of the attacking infantry 
units was covered by a withering machine gun barrage on the enemy's trenches 
and strong-points all along the brigade front. The barrage consisted of fire 
from forty guns, manned by Companies C and D of the 124th, and Com- 
pan}^ B and four platoons of Company A from the 122nd. At the same time 
other units maintained anti-aircraft fire and laid a barrage against positions 
of the enemy on the east bank of the Meuse, where the French were at- 
tacking. 

As far as could be ascertained after the attack, the machine gun bar- 
rage was a complete success. It demoralized the enemy and gave valuable 
support to the advancing infantrymen. 

The six brigade machine gun companies went forward with the attack- 




THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



381 




LOOKING NORTH TOWARDS FORGES WOOD AND THE LINE OF ADVANCE ON 

SEPTEMBER 26 



ing waves, Companies C and D of the 124th following with the support bat- 
talions of the 131st and 132nd Infantry Regiments. Very httle fire from 
the machine guns accompanying the attack was possible or necessary. Once 
Forges Creek was crossed, the advance was over rough and ascending ground, 
mostly wooded and covered with thick undergrowth. Moreover, a dense fog, 
aided by a smoke screen, made it almost impossible to distinguish between 
friendly and hostile troops. 

When the infantry objective had been reached, however, the machine 
guns rendered invaluable service in connection with the consolidation of cap- 
tured ground and the es- 
tablishment of new lines. 
All pieces, except three 
which were put out of 
action by shell fire in the 
advance, reached the ob- 
jective on time and dug 
in with the infantry. 
One officer and three 
men were killed in the 
attack and thirteen men 
were wounded or gassed. 

On the night of 
October 3 Companies A 
and B were transferred 
from Forges Wood to 
positions in the vicinity IN FORGES SWAMP 




382 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




of Hill 280 and the Bois 
de la Cote Lemont, in 
support of the Fourth 
Division. Although 
transportation did not 
arrive until nearly mid- 
night, the units were or- 
dered to be in position 
before daylight. To 
make the move both 
companies had to use the 
transport of Company 
A in a forced march over 
heavily shelled roads, 
p. c. OF THE FOURTH DIVISION The orders had given no 

At Cuisy, during the first phase of the Argonne offensive. Gen- information aS tO the 
eral Hines, division commander, stands in the foreground. location of enemy Or 

friendly troops, but the gunners overcame all obstacles and were in position 
at daylight. 

Two men were wounded by shell-fire in the hasty advance, and four 
mules and a horse, doubly valuable because of the lack of transport facilities, 
were lost in gassed areas. 

The companies were thrown into action immediately and maintained 
harassing fire on the village of Brieulles and Teuton Trench in support of 
the Fourth Division. The next day they were placed under the orders of 
the commanding officer of the 123rd Machine Gun Battalion and remained 
in position on Hill 280, protecting the left flank of the Sixty-fifth Infantry 
Brigade. 

Harassing and direct fire was maintained by the machine gunners in 
support of the infantry forces until relief came forward on the nights of Oc- 
tober 6 and 7. A delay 
in orders confused the 
withdrawal to Forges 
Wood. The move was 
made in good order, but 
one noncommissioned 
officer was killed and one 
man was wounded in 
passing through heavily 
shelled areas back of the 
advanced line. 

The withdrawal did 
not mean rest, but im- 
mediate and more stren- ^ concrete-and-steel pillbox in billemont 
uous action. An attack TRENCH 




THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



383 



against the German positions beyond the Meuse was in preparation, and an 
active part in the operations had been assigned to the 124th. Because of a 
mixup in orders Company C was not used, but the other three companies had 
important duties in connection with the offensive. Company A was selected 
as support for the second battalion of the 132nd Infantry. Company B was 
designated as the machine gun arm of the third battalion of the 131st In- 
fantry, and Company D was attached to the first battalion of the 132nd 
Infantry. 

On the morning of October 8 the attack was launched after intense 
preparatory artillery fire. Company A was stationed with its infantry bat- 
talion on the east edge of Forges Wood, Early in the morning the attacking 
force marched in artillery formation toward Brabant, where it crossed the 




AMERICAN TROOPS IN BRABANT ON OCTOBER 10 

Meuse on a newly constructed bridge under light artillery fire. The troops 
were aligned in attacking formation as soon as the river had been crossed, 
and began an advance through the woods toward a road running east out of 
Consenvoye. 

The machine gunners' task was to assist the infantry with overhead, 
flanking and harassing fire, keeping up with the first wave as well as possi- 
ble. From the outset the enemy's resistance was extremely bitter. Every 
foot of ground was contested. Machine guns and snipers, strategically placed 
in the woods, kept up a stubborn resistance, which had to be stamped out as 
the Illinoisans advanced. 

Company A played a brilliant part in the fierce battle. One detachment 
rushed and captured two German machine guns after their own pieces had 
been disabled by artillery fire. They turned the German guns on the retreat- 



384 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



ing enemy, causing severe losses, and then repulsed a German counterattack 
with fire from the same captured guns. 

After several hours of fierce fighting the attacking troops reached their 
first objective, the road running east from Consenvoye, They were ordered 
to remain there until the artillery had thrown shells into the woods beyond, 
where the Germans were strongly posted. 

The enemy began immediately to give trouble. Intense machine gun 
and artillery fire was directed against the American lines, causing heavy 
losses and threatening a break. One gun team from Company A and part 
of another were sent to the right flank of the infantry line to suppress haras- 
sing fire from machine guns. They encountered the enemy in force and were 




THE MEUSE RIVER AT BRABANT 

cut off after a hard fight. Unable to regain contact with the American lines 
and overwhelmed by greatly superior forces, the gunners were compelled at 
last to surrender. 

Company D crossed the ]\Ieuse at Brabant simultaneously with Com- 
pany A. The company was ordered, with the first battalion of the 132nd, 
to advance in support of the first waves on the left flank, but ran into enemy 
fire scarcely less severe than that which was encountered by Company A. 
The Germans by this time had located the bridge at Brabant, and the cross- 
ing was hampered by shell fire. About 500 yards south of Consenvoye 
the advance was checked by heavy fire from southwest of the city. Two 
machine gun teams were sent to clean out the enemy nests. After a short, 
sharp fight they succeeded and returned with forty prisoners. Other ob- 



THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



385 




THE TOWN OF CONSENVOYE AS SEEN FROM AN AIRPLANE 

An unusual view of a town with which the 124th became very familiar. 

stacles were overcome as they were met and by nightfall the line had pro- 
gressed to more than half a mile north of Consenvoye. The following morn- 
ing the attack was resumed and the final objective was reached about 1 1 a. m. 

During the night Company D and the 
infantry battalion to which it was attached 
were ordered to withdraw to Consenvoye, 
being relieved by Company B and the third 
battalion of the 131st Infantry. At Con- 
senvoye they dug in beside the other units 
to await the next stage of the attack. 

Meanwhile Compan}^ B, with the third 
battalion of the 131st Infantry, had been 
ordered to take up the attack, "hopping 
through" Company D and the first battalion 
of the 132nd Infantry. At about i a. m., 
October lo, these units, which had crossed 
the river the evening before, moved through 
Consenvoye to the south edge of the Bois 
de Chaume, where they formed for attack. 
At 6:45 a. m. they moved forward through 
the Bois de Chaume and, attacking vigor- 
ously, drove the enemy from their positions, 
although they encountered severe artillery 
and machine gun fire, which resulted in interior OF THE CHURCH AT 
manv casualties and the loss of four guns. CONSENVOYE 




386 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



During the afternoon the 
machine gun company 
assisted in holding the 
positions gained on the 
ridge north of the Bois 
de Chaume, and, by the 
• iaring and effective use 
of their machine guns, 
broke up and stopped 
several counterattacks 
that afternoon and the 
following day. During 
the night of the nth the 
infantry withdrew, un- 
der orders, to new posi- 
tions in the rear, the ma- 
chine gunners covering the withdrawal. Company B was relieved on the 
night of October 13-14 by units of the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade and with- 
drew to Consenvoye. 

Thus ended the 124th Battalion's operations before and in the now 
famous town of Consenvoye and in the area east of the Meuse. Five men 
had been killed, forty-seven wounded and gassed, and nineteen reported 
missing, but all objectives had been reached in the face of strong and de- 
termined opposition. Companies A and B suffered the heaviest casualties, 
each of them having had its strength reduced from twelve to six gun teams. 




CHAPLAIN FINNELL IDENTIFYING THE DEAD AFTER 
THE FIGHTING AT CONSEN^^OYE 




ENEMY OBSERVATION POST IN THE BOIS DE CHAUME 



THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



387 



On the night of 
October 14 Company D 
reheved the machine gun 
company of the 130th 
Infantry in the Danne- 
voux sector and twenty- 
four hours later Com- 
pany C, which had not 
participated in the Con- 
senvoye attack, took the 
place of Company B of 
the 123rd Machine Gun 
Battalion on the same 
front. Both companies 
remained there until the 
night of October 20, 
when they were relieved 
by French detachments. 

After resting four days in billets at Camp les Tamaris and Petite les 
Monthairons, the battalion marched to Longeau farm in the Troyon sector, 
eighteen miles distant. There it relieved machine gun units of the Seventy- 
ninth Division in the Massachusetts sub-sector. A reorganization plan was 
worked out to permit Company A to be held in reserve at headquarters. The 
other companies occupied the line. 

Nothing of importance occurred while the battalion was in this sector, 
but the closing hours of the war brought orders that threw the unit into hard 
fighting. Companies A and B were instructed to report to the commanding 




AT THE EDGE UF THli IJUIS HKS JiAUTtS EPINi:.S 
The bursting of a shell. 








..- ^""■- 




' ■■' ' 


ij'- '■*•< "• 



'■■■:i 



"di^ 



BARKED WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS SURROUNDING BUTGNEVILLE 



388 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




THE ATTACK OF NOVEMBER ioth 

An aerial photograph showing the terrain crossed by the 131st Infantry and Companies A and 

B of the 124th Machine Gun Battalion. 



THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION 389 

officer of the 131st Infantry in the vicinity of Doncourt, with Companies C 
and D following a little later. Company A was attached to troops advanc- 
ing against the enemy through the northeast side of the Bois de Warville. 
Company B supported the second battalion of the 131st in an attack against 
the Bois des Hautes Epines and the Bois d'Harville. Both units advanced 
in good order and cleared parts of the woods after severe fighting. Sergeant 
Oliver P. Ely of Company B met and captured eleven Germans when on a 
reconnoitering detail. Other men of the battalion distinguished themselves 
in the fighting. 

Early in the evening of November 10, however, the Germans concen- 
trated gas in the woods and shelled the American positions heavily. At 7 
o'clock the troops were ordered to withdraw until morning. 

Company C did not get into the fight until 5 o'clock the next morning, 
the last day of the war. It was attached to troops which were to attack 
Butgneville. After a preparatory artillery barrage, the third platoon of the 
company, under Lieutenant A. R. Goodman, went forward with the infantry. 
The attacking troops were greatly outnumbered, but fought their way up to 
the wire that belted Butgneville. The casualties were heavy. Seeing that 
the Germans were entrenched formidably in the town, the officers leading 
the attack decided to withdraw. In the attack Company C lost seven men 
killed and five wounded, all within a few hours of the cessation of hostilities. 

Shortly after the return to the previous positions, while Companies A 
and B were preparing to resume the battle, the order to cease firing was 
received. The war was over. 

The battalion remained near the line until December 7, receiving re- 
placements and new equipment. Then it was ordered into Luxemburg with 
the other units of the Thirty-third Division. The long march was made in 
easy stages, by way of Mars-la-Tour, Moineville, Avril and Serrouville in 
France; Rumelange and Aspelt in Luxemburg; Kreuzweiler in Germany; 
and Trintingen and Heffingen in Luxemburg. Headquarters and Company 
A were billeted in Heffingen, Company B in Waldbillig, Company C in Mul- 
lerthal, and Company D in Christnach. There the winter and spring were 
passed. 

On April 22, after four months of drill, the battalion, with the rest of 
the Thirty-third Division, marched in review before General Pershing near 
Ettelbriick. A few days later the homeward journey was begun. The bat- 
talion, passing through Brest, embarked on the transport INIount Vernon and 
reached the United States on May 17, a year and a day after its departure 
for France. 

There was a short wait in New York. Then the battalion entrained 
with other units for Chicago, where it participated in the rousing reception 
given to units of the Thirty-third Division. On ]\Iay 30, with the memory 
of the Chicago celebration still fresh, the battalion ended its active service 
and was demobilized at Camp Grant. 



390 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION WHO WERE KILLED 
IN ACTION, DIED OF WOUNDS OR DIED OF DISEASE OVERSEAS 



First Lieutenant 

Lewis P. Rogers 

Second Lieutenant 

Leroy A. McCullough 

Sergeants 

Joseph M. Hall 
Leslie G. Pfiffner 
Castle C. Wiliams 

Corporal 

Ly:e Fike 

Wagoner 

Joseph A. Erbe 

Privates, First Class 
Wm. Anderson 
John A. Keenan 



Daniel F. Knovvlton 
Alex Malinowski 
Charles R. McGreevy 
Patrick Murray 
George T. Witkins 

Privates 

Herbert G. Huegel 
George W. Kirby 
Joseph Klein 
William J. Sandy 
Joseph C. Sommers 
Buryl Williams 
Marvin Winegarden 
Henry Wissmulier 
Earl L. Yackee 
Daniel J. McCarty 



DECORATIONS RECEIVED BY OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 124TH MACHINE 

GUN BATTALION 



Captains 

William R. Bourdon 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
William L. Krigbaum 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre with Palm Leat 

First Lieutenants 

George R. Higley 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Chevalier Legion of Honor 
Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

Edward J. Price 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Second Lieutenant 
John W. Trager 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

Sergeants 

Loui L. Brosam 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 



Raymond N. Moore 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre with Silver Star 

Michael P. McCarthy 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre with Silver Star 

Corporals 

Harold E. Burleigh 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 

Bugler 

Hildrcd D. Davis 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Privates 

Henry H. Blasek 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 
Gus Glockler 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
Walter Lenik 

Croix de Guerre with Silver Star 
Clayton K. Slack 

Medal of Honor 

Medaille Militaire 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

Belgian Croix de Guerre 



THE FOLLOWING OFFICER WAS AWARDED CERTIFICATE FOR ESPECIALLY 
MERITORIOUS AND CONSPICUOUS SERVICE 

Major 

Floyd F. Putman 



THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



391 



CITATION FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR 




PRIVATE CLAYTON K. SLACK 



Private Clayton K. Slack, Company D: 

Near Consenvoye, October 8, 1918, ob- 
serving German soldiers under cover fifty 
yards away on the left flank, Private Slack, 
upon his own initiative, rushed them with 
his rifle, and, single-handed, captured ten 
prisoners and two heavy type machine guns, 
thus saving his company and neighboring 
organizations from heavy casualties. 



CITATIONS FOR THE DISTINGUISHED 
SERVICE CROSS 

Captain William R. Board on: 

Near Forges Wood, September 26, 191 8, 
Captain Bourdon, then first lieutenant, was 
advancing with his platoon when it came 
upon heavy machine gun fire from woods. 
Ordering the men to take cover, he went 
forward alone, located the gun, and killed 
the gunner. 

Captain (later Major) William Lutz Krig- 
baum: 
North of Bois de Chaume, October 9, 
1 91 8, when the battalion to which Captain 
Krigbaum was attached had reached its ob- 
jective, it was subjected to two counterattacks. The right flank was left exposed, and all the 
gun crews on that flank were either killed or wounded and the guns put out of action. At the 
most critical time, Captain Krigbaum alone mounted a captured machine gun and so success- 
fully operated it against the enemy that the counterattack was stopped and the flank of the 
battalion saved from serious losses. 

First Lieutenant George R. Higley: 

Near Consenvoye, October 8, 1918, Lieutenant Higley, on duty as a reconnaissance officer, 
and Lieutenant Trager, on their own initiative, crossed the Meuse to reconnoiter a supply route. 
They were fired on by two machine guns but, disregarding heavy machine gun and shell fire, 
they advanced and captured the two machine guns with thirty-one Austrian prisoners. 

First Lieutenant Edivard J. Price: 

Near Bois de Chaume, October 11, 1918, Lieutenant Price, upon learning that a counter- 
attack had been launched against the battalion on his right flank, took his platoon into the 
action in advance of the infantry and broke up the counterattack. There being no officer 
present with the infantry unit to which he was attached, he assumed command, reorganized 
it and led it forward, designating targets and ranges and going up and down the line to direct 
operations. 

Second Lieutenant John W. Trager: 

Near Consenvoye, October 8, 191 8, Lieutenant Trager, while on duty as transportation 
officer,, and Lieutenant Higley, crossed the Meuse on their own initiative to reconnoiter a 
supply route. They were fired on by two machine guns but, disregarding heavy machine gun 
and shell fire, they advanced and captured the two machine guns with thirty-one Austrian 
prisoners. 

Sergeant Raymond N. Moore, Company B: 

Near Consenvoye, October 10, 1918, Sergeant Moore led his two sections of guns to the 
aid of an infantry company. Failing to establish an advantageous position, he alone took his 



392 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



gun loo yards in advance of the line, exposed to violent machine gun and artillery lire, and, 
setting it up in an open field, silenced the fire o' the enemy's machine gun snipers who had 
been mflicting heavy losses on our troops. 

Sergeant Michael P. McCarthy, Company C: 

Near Butgneville, November ii, iQiS, when violent machine gun fire had forced his com- 
pany to take shelter, Sergeant McCarthy, with another soldier, braved the direct and short- 
range fire by voluntarily going forward and rescuing a wounded officer, carrying him to 
safety. 

Bugler Hildred D. Davis, Company C : 

Near Butgneville, November ii, igiS, when the infantry company to which his platoon 
WHS attached vi'as held up by hostile obstructions and machine gun fire, Bugler Davis volun- 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SER\TCE CROSS 
Left to right: Captain Wi'liam Lutz Krigbaum. Captain William R. Bourdon, First Lieutenant 

George R. Higley. 

teercd and carried a message to the left tlank. A few minutes afterward he again distinguished 
himself by leaving the cover of the trench, going forward under heavy machine gun fire to help 
rescue a wounded officer. 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION WHO WERE CITED 
FOR GALLANTRY BY GENERAL BELL 

t Received citations both from General Pershing antl General Bell. 



Major 

Floyd F. Putman 

Captain 

William J. Grace 

First Lieutenants 

Allan R. Goodman 
John W. Lynd 
Emil O. Neubaucr 
Edward J. Price 
Chester I. White 



Second Lieutenants 
Louis L. Brosam 
David S. Cloughly 
William J. Kenny 
Charles H. McFarlan 

First Sergeant 

Stuart B. Walsh 

Sergeants 

Steve Aslandes 
John I. Anderson 



THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



393 



Homer Bale 

t Harold E. Burleigh 
Thomas J. Conway 

t Oliver P. Ely 
George A. Ereus 
Edward Holloway 
Axel P. Johnson 
Jacob C. Maus 
Robert H. Merrill 
Wm. F. Newman 
Joseph Ranney 
Wm. G. Shortall 
Thomas J. Sprague 
Sidney Webb 

Corporals 

John Anderlitske 
Samuel W. Ashworth 
John Belke 
Wm. Champlin 
Morris Hartnett 
t Vivian V. Mann 
Fred H. Turner 

Wagoner 

Edward L. Daly 

Privates, First Class 
Henry H. Blasek 
Anton F. Bradtke 
Oscar J. Byrne 
Walter F. Easton 
Harold H. Engsberg 
Truman B. Evenson 



Lawrence Houghton 
Walter C. Johnson 
John L. Laws 
Emil A. Miller 
Fred A. Schafroth 
Paul A. Silver 
Walter H. Smoolen 
Edwin S. Stensas 
Oscar Swanson 
Albert A. Vahl 

Privates 

Andrew G. Anderson 
John Anderson 
Henry H. Blasek 
Louis L. Boehike 
Bernard Garb 
Gus Glochler 
Hugo Holmberg 
Harold O. Hughes 
Edward E. Keedy 
Fred H. Kraft 
Fred F. Lajewski 
Harry Latta 
Walter Lenik 
Wm. E. Neff 
John M. Overholt 
Albert Owens 
Irving A. Palluth 
Everett Phillips 
AdoljA G. Reyerson 
James H. Sears 
Roy Warner 



ROSTER OF OFFICERS 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION LISTED IN ORDER 

OF SENIORITY 



Major 

Floyd F. Putman 

Captaitis 

M. B. Southwick (later Major, command- 
ing 122nd Machine Gun Battalion) 
W. Lutz Krigbaum (later Major, 132nd 

Infantry) 
Patrick J. Dodd 
Burr P. Irwin 
John R. Neal, M. C. 
Chester E. Inskeep 
William R. Bourdon 
Edward L. Willson, Jr., M. C. 
Ralph A. Sears, D. C. 
Edward S. Perry 
William J. Grace 

First Lieutenants 

Clarence H. Woods 
George R. Higley 



Royal W. Jackson 
John P. Nolan 
James A. Fishburne 
Lewis P. Rogers (deceased) 
Claude M. Finnell 
Edward J. Price 
Robert A. Rockhill 
Allan R. Roodman 
Chester I. White 
John W. Lynd 
Emil O. Neubauer 
Clair F. Schumacher 
Herbert C. Taylor 

Second Lieutenants 
David S. Cloughly 
Conrad Shumway 
John W. Trager 
Gene E. Hopkins 
Norman O. Travis 
Leroy A. McCullough (deceased) 
Fred V. Schuch 



394 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




OFnCERS OF THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION 
Top row: Captains P. J. Dodd, C. E. Inskeep, Burr P. Irwin, John R. Neal. 
Second row: First Lieutenants C. M. Finnell, R. W. Jackson, E. O. Neubauer. 
Third row: First Lieutenants R. A. Rockhill, Lewis P. Rogers, C. H. Woods, Second 
Lieutenant Harry L. Bemis. 

Bottom row : Second Lieutenants D. S. Cloughly, E. H. Droste, Wm. Kenny, C. H. McFarlan. 



THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



395 



Elmer H. Droste 
John R. Withey 
William H. Rhodes 
Louis L. Brosam 



Charles H. McFarlan 
Charles N. Powell 
William Kenny 
Harry L. Bemis 




SECOND LIEUTENANTS OF THE 124TH MACHINE GUN BATTALION 
Left to right: Louis L. Brosam, Charles N. Powell, William H. Rhodes, Conrad Shumway. 



396 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




BRIGADIER GENERAL EDWARD L KING 
Commander of the Sixtv-tifth Infantry Brigade. 




AMATEUR FISHERMEN AT NANCOIS-LE-PETIT 



The Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade 

By Edward L. King 
brigadier general, u. s. a. 

HE Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade, Thirty- 
third Division, was composed of the 129th 
and 130th Infantry Regiments, the 123rd 
Machine Gun Battahon and the brigade 
headquarters detachment. These organiza- 
tions were formed from units of the IlHnois 
National Guard whose home stations were 
outside the city of Chicago, 

With the rest of the division, the 
Sixty-fifth Brigade was trained at Camp 
Logan, Intensive drill transformed the or- 
ganization into a brigade of physically fit, 
well disciplined soldiers, ready for the 
service they were to perform so creditably 
in France. Several months of rigid train- 
ing eliminated the unfit, and left only 
men capable of and ready for hard duty. 

The division reached France in the latter part of May, 191 8, and was 
sent to a training area back of the lines. Although delayed somewhat by 
quarantine, the Sixty-fifth Brigade was able to spend most of June and July 
behind the British front, and received from seasoned Australians instruc- 
tions in all the details of trench fighting. As the training proceeded, the 

397 




398 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




brigade moved closer to 
the front, and in small, 
then larger, details the 
men got their first taste 
of experience in the line 
itself. 

The brigade was ex- 
tremely fortunate in be- 
ing placed with Austra- 
lian troops for this pre- 
liminary training. The 
Thirty-third Division 
was the only American 
organization assigned to 
these splendid fighters, 
and the latter were anx- 
ious to show other 
British units how well 
they could fit men for 
active service. The Aus- 
tralians were excellent 
instructors. The Sixty- 
fifth Brigade owes much 
to them, for its achieve- 
ments later were the 
fruits of the teachings 
received in those early 
days. 

During the instruc- 
tion period in the United 
States and France the 
brigade was commanded 
by Brigadier General 
Henry R. Hill, but in the 
latter part of July he was transferred and later, while fighting bravely with 
the Thirty-second Division, he met a soldier's death. I assumed command 
of the brigade on the last day of July. 

Early in August one regiment and the machine gun battalion of the 
brigade took over a portion of the line on the Somme, the left resting at 
Albert. The other regiment remained with the Australians for a little more 
training. The enemy opposite the Illinois troops proved to be more or less 
active, and the brigade distinguished itself. 

The Sixty-fifth was in the line August 8, when the final Somme attack 
was started, and in the early days of that offensive either held a sector or 
supported attacking British troops. 



■4^ - ■ 




BRIGADIER GENERAL HENRY R. HILL AT CAMP 
LOGAN 

With his aide, Lieutenant John Sadler. 



THE SIXTY-FIFTH INFANTRY BRIGADE 



399 



Warning orders had been received for an ad- 
vance with the British when, about August 20, 
American General Headquarters ordered the entire 
Thirty-third Division transferred to the American 
army. 

The train movement to billets in the vicinit\ 
of Ligny-en-Barrois, about twenty-five kilometers 
southwest of St. Mihiel, was accomplished satisfac 
torily. Another and final schedule of intensive 
training was then enforced in preparation for offen- 
sive action. IMen and officers went at the work with 
enthusiasm, and marked progress was made. The 
brigade had been scheduled to participate in the 
St. Mihiel drive, but at the last moment it was or- 
dered to the Verdun front instead. A sector west 
of Verdun, including the famous Hill 304, where 
much desperate fighting had occurred, was occupied. 

The brigade held this sector until September 
26, when the great Meuse-Argonne offensive was launched. The Sixty-fifth 
was placed in the divisional reserve at the outset, following the attacking 
troops until, on the 28th, it took over a portion of the front to the left of 
the rest of the Thirty-third Division, where the Eightieth Division was fight- 
ing. The brigade carried the line to the bend in the Meuse River between 
Vilosnes-sur-Meuse and Brieulles-sur-Meuse, where both regiments and the 
machine gun battalion were established, echeloned in depth. 

For several days the position was a precarious one, well in advance of 
the allied lines on either flank, and constituting an exposed salient into which 
the enemy sent gas and high explosive shells from three directions. The 
brigade was ordered not to attempt a forward movement, but hung to its 




GRAVE OF GENERAL 
HENRY R. HILL 



f ' -^B 


^^^^ ^ 


_ ??*j^ *^"^^ • /""^^^ 


i^— — 4 


^^^^^^j^iji 


^Hn^^tfffil^fl 


■m^^^ 


^^^^1 



THE CROSS AT THE EXTREME LEFT MARKS GENERAL HILL'S GRAVE 

Offered the choice of retaining his rank, with a safe post at home, or a majority in the line, 
he chose the latter, and was killed while leading his men of the 128th Infantry, near Eclisfontaine, 
on October 15, iqt8. 



400 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




AT THE BRIGADE PObT O.^ COMMAND 

During the maneuvers at Willerancourt, September 2 



1018. 



General Bell and General King w'th members of their staffs. 



lines while patrolling and 
endeavoring to assist the 
advance of troops on its 
left. 

The ordeal through 
which the brigade passed 
in holding this position 
was severe, but the con- 
duct of all ranks in sub- 
mitting stoically to the 
enemy's incessant pound- 
ing won the admiration 
of all who understood 
the conditions. 

Early in October 
four infantry battalions 
and some machine gun 
companies of the brigade 
participated in the at- 
tack made by the rest of 
the division on the east 

bank of the Meuse. The remainder of the brigade held the original front. 
About October 15 the entire Sixty-fifth Brigade was transferred to the 

east side of the iVIeuse, the Sixty-sixth Brigade taking over the positions on 

the west bank. 

From this point the forward movement was continued in the face of 

bitter resistance. The line was 

steadily advanced in a manner re- 
flecting great glory on the Sixty- 
fifth. One battalion of the brigade 

attacked successfully three times be- 
fore the division on the right had 

been able to gain its objective. 

For five days the brigade was 

again subjected to severe shelling, 

which did not abate until the 20th, 

when a French division came up in 

relief. The conduct of all units was 

gallant. The enemy never found 

the brigade unready to respond, and 

the supporting American artillery 

was given information as to targets 

quickly and accurately. 

No less praiseworthy than the 

work of the troops occupying the dugout AT MOXTZEVILLE 




THE SIXTY-FIFTH INFANTRY BRIGADE 401 



front lines in this fierce campaign was the behavior of the brigade's supply 
service. Though under incessant bombardment day and night, the men en- 
gaged in that service obtained and dehvered all supplies of food and am- 
munition. They went forward in all weather, in utter darkness, through 
shell fire, over badly torn roads, and they never failed. The cooks and 
teamsters, with their assistants, were entitled to the same credit as their 
more fortunate comrades of the front line. Equally gallant was the work 
of the runners, linesmen and others in the service of communication. 

On being relieved from the line north of Verdun, the brigade was granted 
three or four days of rest. Much of the time had to be spent on the march, 
but the relief was enough to fit the brigade for service in a sector south of 
Verdun to which it was sent. 

This sector contained the famous Eparges position, where the fighting 
had been as fierce as any along the front, especially in underground battles. 
Before us lay the plain of the Woevre, with Metz, Conflans, and Briey in tha 
distance. 

One regiment was sent to the line. The other was held in the rear for 
rest and training. Active patrolling was at once inaugurated, with great 
success. No Man's Land became "Sixty-fifth Brigade Land," for the II- 
linoisans took it over. Two successful major raids, to say nothing of lesser 
ones, resulted in losses 
to the enemy, in killed, 
wounded and prisoners, 
of 100 per cent and 95 
per cent, respectively. 

From a German of- 
ficer captured in one of 
the raids we learned that 
the enemy had been led 
to believe the troops 
coming to oppose them 
were unseasoned. 

"But," he added, 
"when we saw your day- 
light patrols moving out 
we knew we were not op- 
posed by any 'green' di- 
vision." 

Praise from an en- 
emy is not always un- 
pleasant. 

On the morning of 
November 1 1 the brigade 
attacked as a part of the dugouts at mouilly 

American Second Armv. Used by the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade. 




402 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




STAFF OF THE SIXTY-FIFTH INFANTRY BRIGADE 

Front row, left to right: Major Roane Waring, adjutant; Brigadier General Edward L. 
King, commanding ; Lieutenant Spencer McKeon, aide-de-camp ; Lieutenant Norman R. Hayes, 
intelligence officer. 

Rear row: Lieutenants Oscar Strahan, signal officer; Raymond Randall, vetermarian; John 
A. Prosser, aide-de-camp; Henry Bullington, supply officer. 



It had taken a good bite out of the Hindenburg Line before the news of the 
armistice came with the order to cease firing. The brigade commander was 
later informed by the commander of the Second Army that the Sixty-fifth 
would have occupied the point of attack had not the signing of the armistice 
prevented the great offensive planned by Marshal Foch to commence on No- 
vember 14. 

After the armistice the brigade enjoyed a short rest and was refitted. 
Then, with the rest of the division, it began the march toward the Rhine. 

A portion of the brigade entered Germany, but later was diverted to 
the northern part of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, where it settled down 
with the rest of the organization in billets in and around Ettelbriick. 

A general let-down in discipline had been feared as a consequence of 
the armistice, and to forestall this a special appeal was made for main- 
tenance of the high standard already established. The brigade made a ready 



THE SIXTY-FIFTH INFANTRY BRIGADE 



403 



response. No better or higher discipline was ever maintained by any army 
than that which the wilHngness and cheerfulness of the Sixty-fifth Brigade 
made possible. 

The brigade transport, a source of pride from the time of its service 
with the British, won new honors in Luxemburg by helping the Thirty-third 
Division win the reputation of having the best transport in the American 
Expeditionary Forces. 

The sojourn in Luxemburg was pleasant, everything considered. En- 
tertainments were provided by brigade and imported talent. There were 
horse shows and sports of all kinds, and drill enough to keep the personnel 
in good condition. 

Finally, about April 20, orders sending the brigade to Brest for em- 
barkation were received. The brigade left Brest between the nth and 15th 
of May. After a short stay near New York it went west to participate in 
the wonderful homecoming reception in Chicago. Then it was demobilized 
at Camp Grant, and passed into history. 

I cannot close this brief summary of the work of the brigade without 
expressing my heartfelt appreciation of the wonderful loyalty and devotion 
to duty of both officers and men during the time that it was my great pleasure 
and honor to command the brigade. No cleaner or finer body of men, men- 
tally, morally and physically, ever served their country. The men of the 
Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade indeed deserve well of their fellow-countrymen. 




THE FOUR ELEVENS 
Photograph taken at P. C. Plattsburg at 11 a. m., 11-11-18. The e'even officers, left 
tto right, are Lieutenant Prosser, Lieutenant St. Poillu, Major Waring, Major Bittel, Cap- 
tain Black, General King, Colonel Climiin, Major Culbertson, Lieutenant Sadler, Colonel Luke 
Lee, Major Humphrey. 



404 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



ROSTER OF OFFICERS HEADQUARTERS, 65TH INFANTRY BRIGADE 



Brigadier General 
Edward L. King 
Commanding 

Majors 

Louis Duvall 

Brigade Adjutant from January to 
April, loio 
Diller S. Myers, Jr. 

Brigade Adjutant from July 31, T017, 
until promoted to Lieutenant 
Colonel in September, iot8 
Roane Waring 

Brigade Adjutant from September to 
November, 1918 

Captains 

Norman R. Hays 

Intelligence Officer 



Raymond Randall 

Veterinarian 
Spencer McKeon 

Acting Brigade Adjutant at various 
times 

Lieutenants 

H. W. Buliington 

Brigade Supply Officer, October-No- 
vember, 1018-1010 
A. St. Poulof 

French Army — attached as Liaison Of- 
ficer 
John A. Prosser 

Aide-de-Camp 
Oscar Strahan 

Signal Officer 
C. R. Van Voorhis 

Brigade Medical Officer, November, 
1918 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE HEADQUARTERS 65TH INFANTRY BRIGADE 
WHO WERE CITED FOR GALLANTRY BY GENERAL BELL 



Captains 

Norman R. Hays 
Spencer McKeon 
Raymond Randall 

First Lieutenants 

John A. Prosser 
Oscar W. Strahan 

Battalion Sergeant Major 
Ralph L. Bee 



Sergeant 

Chester H. Smith 

Wagoners 

Paul B. Brunsman 

Corporal ' 

John W. Adams 

Cooks 

Charles T. Connett 
Frederick J. Schwab 



DECORATIONS RECEIVED BY HEADQUARTERS 6sth INFANTRY BRIGADE 

Brigadier General 
Edward L. King 

Distinguished Service Medal 

Officer Legion of Honor 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 




AN OFFICERS' MESS AT CAMP LOGAN 




READY TO ADVANCE DURING MANEUVERS AT WILLERONCOURT 

The 129th Infantry 

By Lieutenant Colonel Diller S. ]\Iyers, Jr. 



As it will appear from a perusal of the history of the 120th Infantry herein offered, that it 
differs in several essentials from the style of current histories of similar organizations, some 
explanation of this fact is due to the reading public, particularly that portion of it which served 
wiih the regiment. 

We are taught by historians that a history of a nation or of any of the instrumentalities 
of a nation should serve first to delineate facts and circumstances so they may be preserved to 
posterity, and should aspire secondly to kindle patriotism and keep the fires of love for one's 
country burning brightly. Obviously, if these be the purposes of a history, it is improper to 
detail facts which would reflect discredit upon the service, even though they would retlect upor. 
organizations other than the i2Qth Infantry. 

The writer is indebted to Lieutenant Cyril A. Burns, regimental intelligence officer, for his 
able arsistance in pieparing this history. 

HE 129th United States Infantry was organ- 
ized originally on October 25. 1811. 
Through a multitude of changes in name, 
personnel and organization, it has clung to 
its traditions and entity during the one hun- 
dred and eight years of its existence and the 
vicissitudes of six wars. Through all it has 
been strictly a combat unit, doing yeoman 
dut}^ during periods of hostilities and return- 
ing to the functions of peace at the close of 
each campaign. It was organized as an in- 
dependent battalion for active participation 
in our second struggle with England, and 
justified its organization. Under the com- 
mand of Major William Simpson, it ren- 

405 




4o6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




REGIMENTAL EXCHANGE AT CAMP LOGAN 



dered valiant service 
during that war, then re- 
turned to the pursuits of 
peace for two decades. 
In 1832 it was called 
again for active service, 
and went through the 
Black Hawk campaign 
under the able leadership 
of such men as Captain 
Arden Biggerstaff, Cap- 
tain John Onslott, Cap- 



tain James Hall, Captain James N. Clark and Captain Berryman G. Wells. 

In 1846 the regiment was reorganized as the Third Infantry, and its ten 
companies were placed under the command of Colonel Ferris Foreman. Un- 
der this leadership the organization made a glorious record in the Mexican 
War. At the outbreak of the Civil War, the old Third was merged with a 
new regiment, given a new name — the Seventh Infantry — and was the first 
unit to be called into service from the state of Illinois. Through the four 
long years ctf that struggle it justified its old reputation, and added new 
glories to its already illusitrious name. 

In 1875 it was reorganized again by the addition of the Sterling City 
Guards, the Rockford Guards, the Sycamore Union Guards, the LaSalle 
Light Guards, the Morris Guards, the Dwight Guards, the Streator Veteran 
Guards, the Boone County Guards, the Bohemian Rifles, the Naperville 
Guards, the Elgin Guards, the Lena Guards, and the Genoa Company. Colonel 




GENERAL VIEW OF THE i29th's CAMP AT LOGAN 

As it looked on a peaceful summer morning. 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



407 



Joseph W. R. Stambaugh 
assumed command of the 
regiment in January, 
1876, immediately after 
this new reorganization. 

A long period of 
peace intervened between 
the campaigns of the Civil 
War and the Spanish 
American War, a period 
during which the regiment 
was called several times 
to assist civil officials in 
maintaining order during 
times of stress — notably 
during the Haymarket 
trouble in 1886 — and al- 
ways acquitted itself with 
credit. In 189S, under 
the command of Colonel 
Fred Bennitt, the regi- 
ment again was called into 
active service, and was 
with the American forces 
during the whole of the 
Porto Rican campaign. 

With the concentra- 
tion of American troops along the Mexican border in 191 6, the Third Infan- 
try, under the command of Colonel Charles H. Greene, was assigned to the 
Twelfth Provisional Division and sent to Camp Wilson, near San Antonio. In 
the fall of that year, with the Twelfth Provisional Division, it formed a part 
of the largest overland troop movement that the United States ever had under- 
taken — the march of a war-strength division 206 miles. Again in July, 191 7, 
it was called into active service, and sent to Camp Logan, Texas, for training 
and equipment. At this time the home stations of the various units were: Com- 
pany A, DeKalb; Company B, Hoopeston; Company C, Ottawa; Company 
D, Aurora; Company E, Elgin; Company F, Pontiac; Company G, Wood- 
stock; Company H, Rockford; Company I, Aurora; Company K, Rockford; 
Company L, Kankakee; Company M, Belvidere; Machine Gun Company, 
Aurora; Headquarters Company, Pontiac; Supply Company, Aurora; Med- 
ical Detachment, Rockford. Renamed the 129th United States Infantry, it 
was made a part of the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade, Thirty-third Division. 

On May 2, 191 8, still under the command of Colonel Charles H. 
Greene, after a strenuous period of training under the command of Colonel 
Mathew C. Smith and later Colonel Charles H. Payne, both of the regular 




COLONEL CHARLES H. GREENE 

Commander of the old Third Infantry, I. N. G., and first 
commander of the 129th Infantry, U. S. A. 



4o8 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



army, it started to en- 
train for oversea service, 
arriving at Hoboken in 
time to go aboard the 
United States transports 
Covington, Agamemnon, 
La Lorraine and Presi- 
dent Lincoln, which 
sailed as a convoy on 
May 10, 1Q18. After an 
uneventful voyage, 
broken only by the usual 
routine of safety drills, 
all the transports, except 
La Lorraine, went into 
port at Brest, France, on 
May 23, 1918, and dis- 
embarked the next day 
( Companies L and M on 
board La Lorraine disembarked at Bordeaux the same day). Through a 
driving rain the regiment marched to a point about three miles north of Brest 
where camp was made in the fields. There the regiment was quarantined for 
scarlet fever, from which some companies were not released until June 28. 
During the stay of the regiment in the quarantine camp the officers and men 
were occupied in part with fatigue duty connected with the routine work 
at Brest and in certain construction which was being carried on there. 




COMING ASHORE AT BREST 

This lighter, H. S. B. 34, was carrying men of the i2gth 
Infantry. 




A WATERWAY IN AMIENS 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



409 



The movement of the regiment to a British training area was commenced 
with the entraining from Brest for Oisemont of Companies H, I and K on 
J\Iay 29. After a short stay at Oisemont, the regiment marched to ZalHau, a 
village about five kilometers south of Abbeville. Here the regiment received 
its baptism of fire during a night raid by several German planes. On June 2 
Companies L and M arrived from Bordeaux, and the third battalion was now 
assembled in its entirety under Major William F. Hemenway. By June 22 
the regiment, with the exception of Company F, had been concentrated in 
the British area near Bethincourt-sur-Mer, and on the 28th it was moved to 
the neighborhood of Gorenflos, where Company F rejoined the regiment. 

The next three weeks were occupied with training under British instruc- 
tors, school details, range practice and front line training for selected details 




ON THE ALBERT-AMIENS ROAD 

In the woods at the left several British tanks were wrecked. 



from each company. This period of instruction was broken by a holiday on 
the Fourth of July, with a review by Prime Minister Lloyd George and INIajor 
General Sir Henry Rawlinson. commanding the British Fourth Army, to which 
the Thirty-third Division was then attached. 

On July 17 the regiment marched out of Gorenflos, and proceeded via 
Vignacourt Forest and Bois de Mai to support positions in the Villers-Bre- 
tonneux sector of the Amiens defenses. This was one of the hottest spots on 
the western front, for the capture of Villers-Bretonneux would have opened 
the way to Amiens. The platoons of the 129th Infantry were joined to 
selected platoons from the Australian corps, and were sent to garrison front 
line positions in this sector. Here the regiment suffered its first casualties, 
one man of Company I being killed and several wounded by artillery fire. 
Regimental headquarters, the headquarters company and the nucleus camp 



410 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



were located at Camon. The machine gun company laid its guns for de- 
fensive work and for harassing fire on the roads and areas near Villers- 
Bretonneux. The trench mortar and one-pounder sections were given special 
work in target practice and in methods to be employed in the destruction of 
hostile machine gun positions. 

The rest of the regiment was occupied with a regular course of training 
and instruction. Various details were used in the construction and repair 
of the defense system and in burying cable for the lines of communication. 
The pioneer platoon was especially active, being employed throughout this 
period in the organization of front line positions and the construction of 
defensive works under fire. Beginning July 27 whole companies from the 
regiment were attached to Australian battalions and sent to garrison front 




AMIDST THE WRECKAGE OF ALBERT 

Through sections like this, the patrols of the 120th Infantry made their examinations. 



line positions. The whole sector, from front line to rear echelon, was so 
frequently subjected to aerial bombardments that they ceased even to be in- 
teresting, much less to be annoying. 

On August 5 the regiment was detached from the Australian command, 
and was ordered to rejoin the Sixty-fifth Brigade at Allonville From Allon- 
ville it marched to Daily Mail Woods and Contay, reaching these places on 
August 6. Two days were spent in resting and in cleaning and repairing 
equipment. 

On the night of August 9-10, 191 8, the regiment marched to Round 
Woods, from which place relief of the 132nd Infantry and part of the Thir- 
teenth Londoners in the Albert sector was completed on the morning of 
August 12. This was the first sector held by the regiment as a unit; from 
the 1 2th to the 20th of August, when it was relieved by the Fift\'-fourth 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



411 




COLONEL EDGAR A. MYER 

Commander of the i2gth Infantry during active operations. 



412 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



British Brigade, it held 
the sector. During this 
time it was occupied 
with routine duties oi 
trench warfare and prep- 
aration for the continua- 
tion of the British 
Somme offensive. This 
work of preparation was 
nearly, if not quite, as 
arduous as an attack. It 
involved continuous and 
strenuous patrolling over 
an unusually difficult 
area. From Albert, just 
outside our lines on the 
left, our front extended 
along a railroad em- 
bankment which masked 
our lines, but left No 
]\Ian's Land entirely 
open to the view of the 
enemy. Our patrols, 
however, successfully 
penetrated the German 
lines on our right, and 
explored the country for 
three-quarters of a mile inside of their outposts. While Albert was in the 
possession of the enemy, small patrols from the regiment made a thorough 
examination of the interior of the city and even of the country back of the city. 
Most of the patrols, because of the exposed position of the Americans, were 
made at night, but even at night met sharp opposition from enemy combat 
patrols and from machine gun and artillery fire. Colonel Edgar A. Myer, 
U. S. A., assumed command of the regiment on August i8. 

After being relieved the regiment was concentrated at ]\Iolliens-au-Bois, 
whence it marched to Amiens and entrained for Ligny. It was detrained at 
Ligny and marched to Nancois-le-Petit and Willeroncourt. About two weeks 
were spent in this area in drill and maneuvers. Then the regiment was moved 
by trucks to a bivouac in woods near Blercourt. Here an officer and a non- 
commissioned officer were detailed from each company to reconnoiter the 
Dead Man's Hill sector. 

On September 8 the 120th Infantry commenced the relief of the 372nd 
Infantry (colored) in the sector lying between Dead Man's Hill and Hill 
304. Until the commencement of the Meuse-Argonne offensive the regular 
routine of trench warfare duties — patrols and the improvement of battered 




ON THE WAY TO MORNING DRILL AT 
.WILLERONCOURT 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



413 



positions — was carried 
out. Until the impend- 
ing attack necessitated 
an order stopping all pa- 
trols, our scouts took 
possession of No Man's 
Land and the wholj 
country between our 
lines and Forges Creek. 
One small patrol, led by 
Lieutenant Truman Aar- 
vig, drove off a German 
patrol with the aid of 
O. F. grenades that 
would not explode and 
were useful as weapons 
only in the same way 
that a round stone might 
be useful. Gradually the regimental front was extended until the 129th 
Infantry held the front line in the whole corps sector which extended from 
Forges to Malancourt, a distance, as the line ran at that time, of about ten 
miles. The sector became increasingly active as preparations for the great 
attack of September 26 were made. The hostile artillery was much more 
active than the ordinary harassing fire of position warfare would warrant 




A CLASS IX HANDICRAFT AT NANCOIS LK PETIT 




DUGOUTS IN MONTZEVILLE 

The semi-circular iron covers mark the entrances to dugouts. At the end of the road is an ambu- 
lance of the 108th Sanitary Train in front of a dressing station. 



414 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




THE CREST OF DEAD MAN'S HILL 

until the day of the American attack. During the night of September 25-26, 
the Fourth, Seventy-ninth and Eightieth Divisions went through the lines of 
the 129th Infantry, and attacked in the morning, leaving the regiment as 
division reserve concentrated between Hills 304 and 310, where it remained 
all day. 

The next day the regiment advanced via the Esnes-Bethincourt-Gercourt 
road — called a road because of what it had been rather than because of what it 
was at that time, for it was so congested with traffic and so torn by bombard- 
ments as to require a considerable stretch of imagination to picture it as a road 




P.SNES. REGIMENTAL P. C. AT THE OPENING OF THE MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



415 



— to Hill 281, where a defensive position was taken up in the rear of the hill. 
One night was spent there, and the next night the 129th marched by way of 
Bois Sachet to the relief of the 319th Infantry, north and east of Dannevoux. 
From September 29 to October 10 the 129th Infantry held this position along 
the Meuse River, in the face of murderous artillery fire from the front, right 
flank and rear. It is hard, from a military standpoint, to imagine a worsL^ 
position in which to place a regiment, but, until the advance on the east side 
of the iVleuse could be completed, the position of the 129th on the west bank 
was the pivot on which the whole Meuse-Argonne action was turning. 




TRUCKS OF THE i.'qth OX THE CONGESTED ROAD THROUGH BETHINCOURT 



Starting on October 8 the third battalion of the 129th in conjunction 
with the first and second battalions of the 132nd Infantry crossed the Meuse 
River. The crossing of the river was completed in the night of October 9-10, 
and at six o'clock on the morning of the loth the regiment took up the ad- 
vance, gaining all objectives on schedule time. The first and second battal- 
ions had already crossed the IMeuse and the third battalion was now again 
operating with its own regiment. 

At the commencement of this attack the first battalion, with only 211 
effective men, was under the command of Captain Owen H. Corr, who had 



4i6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




THE OPERATIONS OF THE 129TH INFANTRY WEST OF THE MEUSE 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



417 




THE OPERATIONS OF THE 129TH INFANTRY EAST OF THE MEUSE 



4i8 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



^ * ' 'V'^'^iM '^ Ji 


^ik.JSiM^^W 




^0\ 




M^ ki 


: :-i.'*^^=^'%..:^ .^ 1 


4 ■■' ^- ^^' 


^^^-^ ~^'^^J!k. 





assumed command on 
September 29, when Ma- 
jor Earle C. Thornton 
left the battalion for the 
Army School of the Line 
at Langres. The second 
battalion, under Major 
Harry B. Goodison, had 
a strength of 411 rifles, 
and the third battalion, 
JVIajor William F. Hem- 
enway commanding, had 
325 rifles. Companies 
I, K and M, forming the 
first wave of the attack, 
with Company L in sup- 
port, drove on to their 
objectives in spite of repeated efforts of the best German shock troops to 
stop them. During this attack Captain Harold W. Davis was killed. 

The second exploitation objective of this attack was the road running 
from Sivry-sur-Meuse to Villeneuve Farm. It was taken only after the most 
severe fighting. Owing to the inability of the Twenty-ninth American Divi- 
sion to advance, the right flank of the Thirty-third Division was left exposed 
for a distance of more than a mile, allowing infiltration of German infantry 



MAJOR LORD AND STAFF 
At the regimental aid station in Consenvoye. 




THE 129TH IN THE BOIS DE CHAUME 
The regimental post of command was on the north slope of this valley, among the dugouts and 

shelters which are visible. 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



419 



and machine gun units. The situation was made somewhat easier by the 
action of the first battaHon, Captain Joseph H. Burgheim commanding, aided 
by Company A of the 122nd Machine Gun BattaHon, in driving out the 
troops that had filtered in and estabhshing and maintaining connection until 
such time as the Twenty-ninth Division was able to advance. Captain Burg- 
heim, who had succeeded to command of the battalion after the gassing 
of Captain Corr on October 5, was in turn badly gassed, but for several 
days refused to be evacuated. He was succeeded in command of the battalion 







THE GREAT GUN AT DANNEVOUX 

This was said to be the second largest gun captured by the Americans during the war. It was 
of the howitzer type, and had a chain hoist for shells. Each shell was 4'i feet high and weighed 
1,^00 pounds. 



by Captain Joseph R. Eardley, who also succumbed to gassing, and was fol- 
lowed in the command by Captain Felix R. Holmes. 

With orders to hold at all cost, the regiment maintained its positions 
against repeated German efforts; the third and first battalions were in line, 
with the second battalion in support. On the morning of October i6 the sec- 
ond battalion relieved the third and first battalions in the forward positions. 
Upon com.pletion of the relief, the second battalion, with Company E on the 
left flank and Company H on the right, attacked northward; the left flank 
advanced 200 meters and the right flank a little more than 1,000 meters, 
the general line of advance conforming to the contour of the terrain. Com- 
pany L of the third battalion acted as liaison detachment on the right, 



420 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



and assisted in the attack made by the 115th Infantry of the Twenty-ninth 
Division. The first and third battahons, less Company L, were merged, and 
were the sole support and reserve of the advance. Upon reaching the objec- 
tive, the second battalion dug in, and the line was organized to resist coun- 
terattack. The regiment held its new position until it was relieved on Octo- 
ber 20 by the Sixth French Colonial Regiment. 

During this offensive the regiment was engaged in front-line duty, in 
actual contact with the enemy, virtually continuously from September 8 to 
October 20, a period of forty-two days. The only break in this tour of duty 




LOOKING TOWARD VILOSNES 

In the foreground c^n be seen the rims of shell holes reappearing 

River recede. 



as the waters of the Meusc 



was on September 26 and 27, when the regiment was held as divisional re- 
serve. Even on these days the position was so close up and the work of 
such a character that it differed but lightly from front-line duty. With only 
fair artillery support, due to lack of artillery observation, the regiment took 
all objectives assigned on schedule time and held all ground taken. Every 
advance was contested hotly by the best troops Germany had to put in the 
field, and every objective taken was held against persistent and desperate 
efforts on the part of the enemy to retake it. With the exception of the time 
spent in Sector 304, prior to the beginning of the INIeuse-Argonne offensive, 
every minute was a desperate struggle against highly-trained troops who 
held their ground until actually forced out, and once forced out made every 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



421 



effort to come back. In view of 
this resistance the regiment is 
justly proud of having been able 
to spend forty-two days in such 
duty, of having been able to take 
all objectives, of having never 
withdrawn, and of coming out at 
the close of the period as a mili- 
tary unit. Of the 3,100 men of 
all ranks and all duties who went 
into Sector 304 with the regiment, 
only 1,200 remained to come out 
with it on October 20. The first 
battalion had only 126 rifles, com- 
manded by a first lieutenant, at 
the close of the period, and Com- 
pany K had only nineteen men and 
no officers. Captain Corr, who re- 
joined the regiment on his return 
from hospital, remained a battalion 
commander until the return to the 
United States. 

After being relieved in the 




LIEUTENANT COLONEL D. S. MYERS, JR. 

Adjutant of the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade 
prior to his promotion to the lieutenant-colonelcy 
of the 129th Infantry. 



Consenvoye sector on October 20, the regiment marched via Delolime and 
Sommedieu to the rest area in the Troyon sector, arriving there on October 
24. The regiment was billeted in Ambly, Ranziers, Tilly and Recourt, with 




CONCRETE DUGOUTS IN MARCHEVILLE 

Because of the marshy ground, these were not really dug out, but were built up on the surface. 



422 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




HEADED BY THE BAND, THE REGIMENT MARCHES THROUGH CONFLANS 

a section of machine gunners and two platoons of infantry at Fort Troyon, 
The ensuing two weeks were spent in training replacements and in cleaning 
equipment and resting, broken only by an ''alert general" on October 31. 

Warning orders were received on November 8 to the effect that the regi- 
ment would again go into the lines at an early date, and the necessary recon- 
naissance was made on that date. On the next day the regiment was concen- 
trated at Ranziers, and on the loth marched to the relief of the 130th Infan- 




ON THE WAY TO ETTELBRUCK 
The 129th on the march, near Roodt, Luxemburg, on December 14, 1918. 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



423 




MAJORS OF THE 129TH INFANTRY 
Upper row: Harry E. Goodison, William F. Hemenway, Felix R. Holmes. 
Lower row ; Arthur E. Lord, Earle C. Thornton. 



try in the line from Herbeuville to Fresnes, completing the relief at 4:30 
a. m., November 11, 191 8. 

In spite of all rumors and the virtually certain knowledge that the armi- 
stice had been signed, the regiment attacked at seven o'clock in the morning. 
A stubborn resistance from well-organized positions was met at the very out- 
set. The terrain had been inundated by the enemy, and was covered with a 
multitude of barbed wire entanglements. Men held up by the wire and un- 
able to escape were shot down. Men only slightly wounded were drowned 
before the eyes of their comrades. A sticky, nasty fog partially masked the 
fire of the enemy during the early part of the engagement, and made it im- 
possible to maintain the direction of advance. A large part of the supporting 
artillery was stuck hopelessly in the mud and could render no assistance. But 



424 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



in spite of these conditions the advance was made, and the Chateau d'Aulnois, 
Riaville and Marcheville had been captured and occupied when orders were 
received announcing the armistice had been signed. All units were notified. 
From the front line an unidentified musician climbed upon a pile of dirt 
thrown up by an exploding shell and sounded "recall." The war was over 
and won as far as the 129th Infantry was concerned, but enemy artillery 
continued active until it:oo a. m. The sector was organized immediately 
for defense, and later all troops not needed for outposts or patrols were with- 
drawn to the vicinity of Rupt. The following three weeks were occupied 
in training schedules and policing the area. 




THE REGIMENTAL BAND ON ITS RETURN FROM OVERSEAS 



On December 7 the regiment started its march across Lorraine and into 
Luxemburg, arriving at Ettelbriick on the 20th. From that time until the 
latter part of April, 191 9, it was engaged in an intensive period of drill and 
training, with such amusements, athletics and theatricals as the welfare or- 
ganizations could devise and circumstances would permit. In the month of 
April, the division was reviewed by Secretar}^ of War Baker and by General 
Pershing. 

On April 26 the regiment started to entrain for its long journey from 
Luxemburg to Illinois, arriving at Camp Grant for discharge on June 6, 1919. 

With the discharge of the personnel from the service, the regiment offi- 
cially went out of existence, but it still lives in the hearts of the men who have 
served with it. The Tenth Battalion, the Third Illinois Infantry, the 129th 
United States Infantry — call it what you will, it is all the same — still lives 
in and for Illinois. 



426 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 129TH INFANTRY WHO WERE KILLED IN ACTION, DIED 
OF WOUNDS OR DIED OF DISEASE OVERSEAS 



Captain 

Harold W. Davis 

First Lieutenants 
Truman Aarvig 
Herbert W. Howard 
Samuel W. Raymond 

Sergeants 

Leo Anderson 
Gordon Bentley 
John Bradshaw 
Fred A. Kennedy 
Percy King 
Charles Umathum 
Wm. D. Wood 
Ernest Hart 

Corporals 

Harry W. Barkley 
Walter R. Craig 
Grant O. Dawson 
James T. Duffy 
Lawrence Fulton 
lythel T. Jones 
Edward A. Kniery 
Edw. S. Lake 
Peter T. Maurer 
Bernard A. Myers 
Emmet J. Moran 
Charles W. Paul 
Marshall W. Purrucker 
Jacob Swanson 
Charles Varisco 
Ettore Vignochi 
Earl C. Violet 
Fred W. Zeller 

Cooks 

Archie Bird 
Harry McDonald 

Privates, First Class 
Rada Besonvich 
Merril Gutshall 
Sam Koorstra 
Harold L. Parker 
Wm. B. Patton 
Leon Purkey 
Daleso Lancione 
Lindsey Lanning 
Leo A. Schwind 
Henry G. Shaw 
Day W. Skinner 

Privates 

Arthur D. Aussew 
Hyman Aronoff 
Eric H. Arndt 



John A. Alward 
George C. Adler 
Edmund Baggs 
Michael Baguewski 
Ralph Barker 
David Beutkowski 
Earl Blake 
George Blank 
Harry S. Bochman 
Joseph Bowen 
Leslie Boyle 
Oscar C. Brem 
Isador Brenner 
Wm. F. Brockmeyer 
Edward Brown 
Fay Brunner 
Vincent Carney 
Harry Campbell 
Wm. H. Campbell 
Alphonse Chamberlain 
Miles W. Chance 
Merle R. Clark 
Walter demons 
Hugh C. Collins 
Jas. A. Dachenbach 
John F. Dahlgrcn 
Emil G. Dahm 
William Davis 
Lawrence Devereux 
John De Wilde 
Harry L. Doty 
Eskel Eabourg 
Matto Eisel 
Alfred English 
Walter Francis 
Peter Gallas 
Delbert L. Garner 
Paul Gehrke 
Michael Gierat 
Ralph E. Gray 
Earl Gragg 
Bcnj. F. Green 
Gilbert D. Gridley 
Umberta Guiducci 
Raymond Hagaman 
Clark Hall 
Lawrence Hettrick 
Edward Hirchert 
Fred E. Hoff 
George Jankee 
Harry W. Jenson 
Albert Kalinski 
Frank Kasal 
Thomas Kearns 
Emil Kummer 
Frederick C. Ladenorf 
Guy J. W. Lawson 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



427 



Henry V. Lee 

Clarence Lindblade 
Sam Lipschitz 
Leon R. Listy 
Benjamin A. Lucket 
Alexander Lulewicz 
James E. Lynch 
James W. Lynch 
Charlie McGuire 
Leon McNish 
Joseph W. Marx 
Albert Mielke 
Ignacy Milevvski 
Thomas Mitchell 
Alfred Moen 
Lawrence Morris 
Frank Mundekis 
Joseph Lusselewicz 
Alva Neely 
George J. Nelson 
Adolph A. F. Nelson 
Steve Oles 
Merle Olson 
Henry M. Ostendorf 
Edwin Palmgren 
Wm. C. Panis 



Kieth F. Pierce 
Felix Pudellko 
Joseph P. Queenan 
James L. Rickey 
Samuel Rikhus 
Jacob Ruff 
Fred Schmack 
Daniel Simpson 
Ralph C. Sellick 
Adolph Smolek 
Joseph B. Specter 
Konstonstan Staikunas 
Herman Stauke 
Alexander Sulerwicz 
Jacob Swanson 
John C. Tarnowski 
Orphene Torgensen 
Alex Urvakis 
Garrit Van Puersens 
George Waidley 
Robert Warren 
William Wells 
Robert Woods 
Nick Zuchero 
Andreas Zink 



DECORATIONS RECEIVED BY OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 120TH INFANTRY 



Major 

Felix R. Holmes 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 
Italian Croix de Guerre 

Sergeant 

Ralyn Hill 

Medal of Honor 

Medaille Militaire 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

Privates 

Charles G. Carlson 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre with Silver Star 

Joseph Osiol 

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star 



CITATION FOR CONGRESSIONAL 
MEDAL OF HONOR 

Corporal Ralyn Hill, Company H: 

At Dannevoux, France, October 7, loiS, 
seeing a French airplane fall out of control 
pn the enemy side of the Meuse River with 
its pilot injured, Corporal Hill voluntarily 
dashed across the footbridge to the side of 
the wounded man, and, taking him on his 
back, started back to his lines. During the 




CORPORAL RALYN HILL 

Who was awarded the Congressional Medal of 
Honor for one of the most daring acts of the war. 



428 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




PRIVATE CHARLES G. CARLSON 

being under heavy shell fire and through ravines filled with gas 



entire exploit he was subjected to murderous fire of 
enemy machine guns and artillery, but he successfully 
accomplished his mission and brought his man to a place 
of safety, a distance of several hundred yards. 



CITATIONS FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 
CROSS 

Major Felix R. Holmes: 

Near Consenvoye, October ii, 1918, after being 
wounded and ordered to the aid station, Major Holmes, 
then a captain, reported to his regimental headquar- 
ters, giving a detailed report of the forward positions. 
His strength failing, while he was attempting to reach 
the aid station alone, he was assisted to the place, had 
his wounds dressed, and was tagged for evacuation, but 
instead he returned to the front line, through intense 
shell, machine-gun and sniper fire, and took command 
of his company. 

Private Charles G. Carlson, Headquarters Company: 

Near Consenvoye, October 17, 1018, Private Carl- 
son, though seriously wounded, succeeded in reaching 
his destination with an important message, his route 



OFFICERS .'VND MEN OF THE 120TH INFANTRY WHO WERE CITED FOR GALLANTRY 

BY GENERAL BELL 



t Received citations both from General Perching and General Bell. 



Colonel 

Edgar A. Myer 

Lieutenant Colonel 

Diller S Myers, Jr. 

Majors 

W. F. Hemenway 
Elmer G. Lindroth 
Arthur E. Lord 

Captains 

Paul E. Anderson 

Joseph T. Brennan 

George W. Burton 

Hal L. Carr 

N. B. Clinch 

Owen H. Corr 

Harry H. Davis 

Guy A. Karr 

Neil Kerr 

William H. McMullen, Jr. 

Cassius Poust 

Fred E. Scheppler 

Clyde R. Van Voorhis 

First Lieutenants 

James L. Boucher 
Frederick S. Burgess 



Cyril A. Burns 
Ralph V. Conard 
Lester Edinger 
Richard S. Edwards 
William Gustason 
Richard E. Iverson 
Burlin E. Keen 
Leslie F. Kimmell 
George A. Milby 
James Milligan, Jr. 
Edward D. Rosengren 
Emil Rossberg 
Robert S. Taylor, Jr. 
William G. Wiseman 

Second Lieutenants 
Frank Balzer 
Ellis M. Boddy 
Charles Bressler 
Paul Huenkemier 
Glenn Weese 
Walter H. Wulk 

Regimental Sergeants 

Major Guy J. Helfrich 

Battalion Sergeant Majors 
Donald J. Bear 
Aaron K. Hirstein 
Robert A. Murrin 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



429 



First Sergeants 

Robert J. Beck 
James Lewis 
Raymond McGee 

Sergeant, First Class 
Alfred W. Burr 

Sergeants 

Webster W. Balzier 
Levi Baxley 
Samuel Borras 
John T. Bradshaw 
Harry Bushaw 
Elmer Ca'''.on 
Banjamin Chambers 
Edward W. Colwell 
Hugh D. Cronk 
Clyde J. Cusley 
Charles L. Danforth 
Taylor Davis 
Basil L. Deardurff 
Everett E. DeMoss 
Wilbur E. Dewitt 
August E. Ehlen 
John Elmer 
Julius Ertz 
Michael Fallen 
Eugene C. Fiesel 
Carl Ganter 
Elmer E. Haney 
Paul E. Harrison 
Earl M. Hickey 
Raphael P. Hines 
Ralph Hildebrandt 
Ogle K. Howell 
William Hutchinson 
Robert F. Johnson 
James A. Kearne 
Harold Kugler 
James B. Lambert 
Simon Locks 
John J. Long 
Henry Longfield 
Ralph Menard 
Henry L. Metzler 
Joseph M. Mulligan 
Don F. Murphy 
William Myers 
Herbert Neathery 
Howard M. Nicholson 
Dan Parker 
Edward Payne 
Harry Petschow 
Harold Pleimling 
Raymond C. Powell 
Lester E. Rapier 
William Robinson 
Thomas A. Ruddy 
Joseph Schmidt 
Fred C. Seipp 



Alberteus Speirer 
Guy Stevens 
Carl E. Swanson 
Everett Terwilliger 
Herbert A. Thompson 
John P. Tomas 
Roy L. Trapp 
John C. Tuttle 
William Ward 
Harry Wascher 
Harry Washer 
Fred C. Wendt 
Lean White 

Corporals 

Walter Anderson 
Ray Blake 
John A. Brenneman 
Claude Brush 
Arthur J. Carpenter 
James J. Christie 
Peter Drommess 
Chester M. Edwards 
Grover Edwards 
John Elden 
Howard T. Endres 
George J. Farrell 
Isaac Fish 
Edward Fortna 
Julius Gerding, Jr. 
George F. Gray 
William Haase 
Herry Henise 
Lawrence Hilton 
Fred Honne 
Linton H. Hoover 
Max Husted 
Daniel J. P. Jones 
Leon Jordan 
Frank Juehenbecker 
Walter Kutzke 
Gerald G. Marks 
Charles Mason 
Carl Matz 
Joseph J. McCann 
Paul Meighn 
Royal M. Miller 
Richard Oswald Murphy 
Oscar Nelson 
Jacob E. Neukom 
Henry F. Overberg 
Harry J. Payan 
Alva G. Pomeroy 
Louis Purcells 
William Robeck 
Charles R. Robin 
Henry Salveson 
William Salzman 
Percy Shinnebarger 
Joseph Smith 



430 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




CAPTAINS OF THE i2gTH INFANTRY 
Left to right, top row: Marks Alexander, John C. Baker, Frank H. Billig. Joseph T. Brennan. 
Second row: George W. Burton, N. Bavard Clinch, Owen H. Corr, Harry H. Davis 
Third row: Fred E. Eardley, Ralph A. Fritz, A. W. Goodwin, G. A. Karr. 
Fourth row: W. C. Groom, James E. Kelley, Neil Kerr, H. H. Miller 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



431 



William Suring 
Chesles E. Telton 
Arthur Ward 
Charles Zornow 

Wagoners 

Lee Cornwall 
John Kemmel 
Leo LeMoth 
Gustave Reppel 
Albert Schneider 
Ernest Wagner 

Mechanics 

William G. Anderson 
Theodore Anderson 
Christian Jessen 
Herman Timm 

Bugler 

Hamilton J. Clay 

Cooks 

Everett Clark 
Joseph Fitzek 
Arthur Hollarbush 
Joseph Wurtzinger 

Privates, First Class 

George H. Andretsopoulos 
Thomas L. McAndrews 
Harrison H. Baizier 
John E. Bcntley 
Adolph Berg 
George Blank 
David S. Bond 
Harry Campbell 
Clarence E. Cannon 
Henning G. Carlsen 
Frank Cobotovitsch 
Charles Danloff 
Merrill S. Glover 
Joe Hodgetts 
Edward Hoist 
Thristian Jacobsen 
Norman Johnson 
Edward Laux 
Charles T. McNash 
Aime J. McNeil 
Edward N. Meyerhoffar 
Edward Miller 
Edwin L. Moe 
Roy E. Mowery 
Ralph Murphy 
Oren Norman 
Carl Oleson 
Carmen Paulo 
John Adam Pelot 
Clarence H. Peterson 
Frank Plummer 
Alfred M. Price 



Leon Purkey 
Dewey M. Purnell 
George E. Rawson 
Piatt Reeves 
Otto Schwartz 
Irba Searle 
William Sipes 
Arthur Starrett 
Bert Strong 
Erwin Verne 
James White 
Leslie C. White 
Carl B. Whitehead 
Edward Wilson 
Albin E. Zipfel 

Privates 

Amos Antonscn 
William Ames 
Charles Anderson 
Christ Anderson 
Jack N. Basseriar 
John J. Blesser 
Edward J. Brever 
Edward Brown 
Ben Bush 
Clifford Caniield 
O'e J. Carlson 
Fred W. Cleary 
William B. Clegg 
Ben Cobb 
Timothy Connelly 
Benjamin H. Copeland 
Joseph Count 
Charles Craigen 
Banjamin Cyr 
Frank C. Dadds 
Frank I. Davies 
Edward De Bruin 
Henry Dosion 
Ralph Dray 
Samuel Ellis 
Clement Felke 
Anton J. Felke 
Arthur G. Fieder 
Leo J. Filipski 
John P. F. Flynn 
Leo Fraim 
Roy E. Fowder 
Fred E. Fox 
Michael J. Fox 
William Garry 
William D. Gilmore 
Everett Grady 
Harry Grigsby 
Paul Gross 
John W. Hagenow 
Clarence Hansen 
Ross C. Hauser 
John E. Herbert 



432 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




CAPTAINS OF THE 129TH INFANTRY 

Top row: Jame; T. Burn;, Hal L. Carr. Frederick Cartwrisht. Harold W. Davis. 
Second row: Robert C. Ellis. Ivan K. Foster, William W. Joslvn, Elmer G. Lindroth. 
Third row: W. H. McMullen, Jr., Fred L. Morrison, W. M. Nichols. William R. Peck. 
Bottom row: Cassius R. Poust, Samuel M. Richie, Fred E. Scheppler, Walter A. Stetler. 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



433 




CAPTAINS AND LIEUTENANTS OF THE 129TH INFANTRY 
Top row: Captains John H. Steward^ Paul W. Tibbett. C^ ^ J-^o^rhis C K Jeh^^^ 
Second row: Captain Ernest White, Lieutenants Charles Bressler L^ Morv Harrv A Olson. 
Third row: Lieutenants Burlin E. Keen Walter McLaughlin Karl B. Mor>, Ha^r> A^^^ 
Bottom row: Lieutenants Walter E. Osborn, N, P. Peterson, Lloyd P. Fetry. 5. ^. 



434 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Arthur C. Hermann 
John Herman 
Kenneth Hill 
George E. Hopper 
Arthur Hughes 
t Walter Huston 
James Jedlicka 
Gust Jeppson 
Guy Johnson 
Glenn Kendall 
Fred A. Korth 
Herman Kuhrt 
Phil Kummer 
Peter Lentz 
Ben Levitt 
John Lewandowski 
Benedict Lipinski 
Alfred M. Lokken 
James H. Marshal] 
Joe Martin 
William J. Maston 
Walter McCollum 
Kenneth Mertney 
Leslie Miles 
Peter Miller 
Edward Nielson 
George A. Norak 
Herbert Norris 
Richard E. Onions 



Joseph Osiol 
Anton Paprocky 
Stanislaus Paszok 
John P. Peterson 
Charles Peterson 
Boyd Stewart Philips 
Frank J. Pranschke 
Jerry Prasek 
t Alfred E. Price 
Andrew Rejos 
August Ross 
Homer Rudd 
Roy H. Rundle 
Frank Sahn 
Alfred Schmidt 
Edward L Schramkowski 
Ingwald Score 
John Shatters 
Stewart J. Smiley 
Howard Sonners 
Thomas Sullivan 
Leon G. Tritle 
Walter W. Walker 
John Walsh 
Edwin Westhin 
Walter W. Wilcox 
Orlo Woods 
Samuel Yancivsky 




AN UNDERGROUND CHAPEL AT SIVRY-SUR-MEUSE 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



435 




FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE 129TH INFANTRY 
Left to right, top row: Truman Aarvig, Wilford M. Beatty, C. A. Bloomquist, James L. Boucher. 
Second row: Charles F. Brown, Clarence E. Bucklin, Cyril A. Burns, John C. Burt. 
Third row: Alban D. Callagee, Christian T. Christensen, Ralph V. Conard, Robert E. Day. 
Fourth row: William H. DeGaris, Harry A. Drennon, Lester Edinger, Richard S. Edwards. 



436 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



ROSTER OF OFFICERS 129TH INFANTRY WHO SERVED OVERSEAS 



Colonels 

Charles H. Greene 
Edgar A. Myer 

Lieutenant Colonels 
Elijah P. Clayton 
Diller S. Myers, Jr. 

Majors 

Felix R. Holmes 
Harry B. Goodison 
William F. Hemenway 
Arthur E. Lord 
Earle C. Thornton 

Captains 

Marks Alexander 
Paul E. Anderson 
John C. Baker 
Frank H. Billig 

Joseph T. Brennan (later Major) 
Joseph H. Burgheim 
George W. Burton 
Hal L. Carr 
Frederick Cartwright 
Nicholas Bayard Clinch 
Owen H. Corr 
Harold W. Davis (deceased) 
Harry H. Davis 
Fred E. Eardley 
Robert C. Ellis 
Ivan K. Foster 
Ralph A. Fritz 
Magnus A. Gerde 
A. W. Goodwin 
William C. Groom 
William W. Joslyn 
Guy A. Karr 
William Kennedy 
Neil Kerr 
James E. Kelley 

Elmer G. Lindroth (later Major 130th In- 
fantry) 
William H. McMullen, Jr. 
Harold H. Miller 
Fred L. Morrison 
William M. Nichols 
Virgil C. Nickerson 
William R. Peck 
Cassius R. Poust 
Samuel M. Richie 
Fred E. Scheppler 
Walter A. Stetler 
John H. Steward 
Paul W. Tibbets 
Clyde R. Van Voorhis 
Carlton K. Welsh 
Ernest White 
Ralph C. Woodward 



First Lieutenants 

Truman A. Aarvig (deceased) 

Wilford M. Beatty 

Churley A. Bloomquist 

James L. Boucher 

Clarence W. Bowen 

Charles F. Brown 

Clarence E. Bucklin 

Frederick S. Burgess 

Cyril A. Burns 

John C. Burt 

Alban D. Callagee 

Mitchell S. Cash 

Christian T. Christensen 

Ralph V. Conard 

Robert B. Day 

Lester R. Deck 

William H. DeGaris 

Harry A. Drennan 

Roy F. Dusenbury 

Lester Edinger 

Richard S. Edwards 

Sydney D. Emerson 

Rex I. Gary 

William A. Gustason 

Franz Gorges 

Herbert W. Howard (deceased) 

Vernon F. Hedin 

Alexander E. Herrold 

John M. Hiland 

Ewart C. Howe 

Richard Iverson 

Frank Jaycox 

Gustave J. Kaune 

Burlin E. Keen 

Leslie F. Kimmell 

Hiram P. Lawrence 

William B. MacBride 

George J. MacGregor 

John R. McCann 

Walter McLaughlin 

E. Y. Mallory, Jr. 

Elmer J. Meinken 

John E. Mekota 

Cyril H. Mergens 

George A. Milby 

James Milligan. Jr. 

Redfield C. Mills 

Melville G. Montgomery 

William C. Moore 

Karl B. Mory 

Harry A. Olson 

Walter E. Osborn 

Reese Nelson 

Norman P. Peterson 

Lloyd P. Petry 

Samuel W. Raymond (deceased) 

Maurice Rose 

Edward D. Rosengren 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



437 




FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE 129TH INFANTRY 
Left to ri2:ht, top row: William A. Gustason, Franz Gorges, Ewart C. Howe, Richard Iverson. 
Second row: Frank Jaycox, Gustave J. Kaune, Leslie F. Kimmell, John R. McCann. 
Third row: E. Y. Mallory, Jr., Elmer J. Meinken, John E. Mekota, Cyril H. Mergcns 
Fourth row: George A. Milby, James Milligan, Jr., Melville G. Montgomery, Wm. C. Moore. 



438 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Emil E. Rossberg 
Audus W. Shipton 
Robert S. Taylor, Jr. 
William A. Thomson 
Horace E. Thornton 
Herbert J. Wilkins 
George R. Whicher 
William G. Wiseman 
Norman Zolla 

Second Lieutenants 
Donald T. Ayres 
Frank Balzer 
Ellis M. Boddy 



Robert D. Bradlee 
John M. Brand 
Charles Bressler 
J. Wilmon Brewer 
Bernard Cruse 
Fred J. Collins 
William P. Coleman 
Otto G. Danewitt 
Hal Davenport 
James C. Dibelka 
Floyd R. Drew 
Timothy J. Fitzgerald 
Merle M. Goodell 




SECOND LIEUTENANTS OF THE 129TH INFANTRY 
Top row: Hubert F. Powell, Robert E. Price, Andrew J. Roemmich, E. A. Rutishauser. 
Second row; Jack D Thompson, Robert S. Tolmie, Arthur R. Tritschler. 
Third row: Harold F. Vaughan, Glenn Weese, James W. Wilson, Walter H. Wulk. 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



439 



Arthur D. Goudreau 

Charles G. Haight 

Charles A. Haldeman 

Victor H. Hamm 

Roy R. Haney 

Clifford Hodgin 

William Hoffman 

Harding F. Horton (deceased) 

Ogle K. Howell 

Paul Huenkemier 

Fred Johnson 

Andrew J. Keho 

Fred E. Kent 

Harry Kivel 

Aud E. Lusk 

William E. Ludtke 

E. D. O'Leary 

Robert B. Marshall 

Arthur H. Maynard 

Clyde E. MUler 

Ladimir F. Moudry 

Earl T. Nichols 

William Parker 



Earl Phillips 

Sidney C. Phillips 

Hubert F. Powell 

Edward A. Prettyman 

Robert E. Price 

Paul H. Pritchard 

Arnold J. Roemmich 

Daniel Robinson 

Emil A. Rutishauser (later ist Lieutenant) 

Edward Sanderson 

Lloyd M. Stone 

Jack D. Thompson (later Captain) 

Robert S. Tolmie 

Charles C. Trawick 

Arthur R. Tritschler 

Archie M. Van Horn 

Harold F. Vaughan 

Glenn W. Weese 

John M. White 

Russel W. Williford 

Guyon J. Wierman 

James W. Wilson 

Walter H. Wulk 



OFFICERS WHO WERE WITH REGIMENT BEFORE IT WENT OVERSEAS 



Colonels 

Matthew C. Smith 
Charles H. Paine 

Lieutenant Colonel 

William H. Brogunier 

Major 

Clyde C. Miner 



Captains 

Roy Brown 
James T. Burns 
Fred Dewey 
Charles L. Gapen 
Charles Harkison 
John H. Newman 
T. L. Quinlan 
W. J. Thornton 
Albert M. Witt 




THE CEMETERY EAST OF SIVRY-SUR-MEUSK 



440 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




LIEUTENANTS OF THE 129TH INFANTRY 
Top row: First Lieutenants E. D. Rosengren, E. E. Rossberg, A. W. Shipton, R. S. Taylor, Jr. 
Second row: First Lieutenants W, A. Thomson, H. E. Thornton, H. J. Wilkins, W. G. Wiseman. 
Third row: First Lieutenant N. Zolla, Second Lieutenants J. C. Dibelka, V. H. Hamm, C. Hodgin. 
Bottom row: Second Lieutenants Ogle K. Howell, Harry Kivel, Earl T. Nichols, William Parker. 



THE 129TH INFANTRY 



441 




SECOND LIEUTENANTS OF THE 129TH INFANTRY 
Top row: Donald T. Avres, Robert D. Bradlee, John M. Brand, Hal Davenport. 
Second row: Floyd R 'Drew, Merle M. Goodell, Arthur D. Goudreau, Chares G. Haight. 
Third row: Rov R. Hanev, Andrew J. Keho, Fred E. Kent, A. E. Lusk. 
Bottom row: Robert B. Marshall, Arthur H. Maynard, Clyde E. Miller, Ladimir F. Moudry. 



442 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




COLONEL JOHN V. CLINNIN 

Commander of the 130th Infantry during active operations. 




THE 130TH INFANTRY CROSSING THE ORNE RIVER AT CONFLANS 



The 130th Infantry 

Colonel John V. Clinnin, Editor 
By Captain Harmon L. Ruff, Regimental Adjutant 



HE 130th Infantry began its service in the war 
with Germany as the Fourth Infantry, IIH- 
nois National Guard. It was made up of 
companies from southern and south central 
Illinois, all composed of trained men, made 
fit by service on the Mexican border but a 
short time before. 

The regiment's history had been long and 
honorable, though broken by reorganizations. 
It can be traced back at least to 1882, when 
it was known as the Ninth Infantry, under 
command of Colonel Louis Krugoff of Nash- 
ville. On December 26, 1885, the field and 
1 » staff officers of the Ninth were mustered out 

jajk ^j and the regiment was consolidated with the 

1^^^ f Eighth Infantry, under which name it was 

^ — 1 carried on the rolls of the adjutant general's 

office until December 31, 1890, when it became the Fourth Infantry. It served 
under that designation until it became the 130th Infantry, twenty-seven years 
later. 

The regiment was on active duty for a year in the war with Spain. It 
was mustered into the federal service May 20, 1898. Colonel Cassimer Andel 

443 




444 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

of Belleville, then in command, resigned and was succeeded by Colonel Eben 
Swift, an officer of the regular army. The regiment was assigned to the Sev- 
enth Army Corps, which was commanded by General Fitzhugh Lee and was 
a part of the army of occupation in Cuba during the early part of 1899. It 
was mustered out at Augusta, Georgia, May 2 of that year. The regiment 
was designated while in federal service as the Fourth Illinois U. S. Volunteer 
Infantry, and was composed of companies from the following cities: Areola, 
Newton, Carbondale, Belleville, INIattoon, jNIount Vernon, Effingham, Paris, 
Vandalia, Litchfield, Olney and Urbana. 

Both before and after the Spanish-American war the Fourth Infantry 
saw more active service within the state than any other regiment of the Illinois 
National Guard. It was one of the first to be called out whenever disorders 
requiring the presence of troops arose. From 1886 to 191 6, the regiment, or 
some part of it, was called into active service on thirty different occasions. 

When trouble with Mexico was imminent in 191 6, the Fourth Infantry 
was sent to the border with other units of the Illinois National Guard. With 
Colonel Edward J. Lang in command, it was mustered into the federal service 
at Springfield June 29, and was sent to Camp Wilson (later Camp Travis), at 
San Antonio, Texas. The regiment remained there undergoing intensive train- 
ing for nine months. One of the never-to-be-forgotten incidents of this service 
was the so-called "Austin hike." As a part of its training the regiment, carry- 
ing sixty-pound "horseshoe" packs, marched from San Antonio to Austin, a 
distance of more than 200 miles, over rock roads that were none too smooth 
and under a blistering Texas sun. 

The Fourth was the last Illinois regiment to leave Camp Wilson, being 
mustered out at Fort Sheridan March 15, 191 7, just twenty-two days before 
Congress declared the United States to be in a state of war with Germany. So 
the regiment had only a brief period of rest before it was summoned to further 
active service. 

During the latter part of May several companies of the regiment were 
sent to Mattoon to preserve order following the partial destruction of that city 
by a cyclone. A little later the entire regiment was despatched to East St. 
Louis for riot duty. Such service occupied the organization's time until July 
25, when, in response to the President's call, the companies of the regiment 
were mobilized at their home stations and began an intensive recruiting cam- 
paign. The home stations of the various companies at that time were as fol- 
lows: Company A, Casey; Company B, Newton; Company C, Sullivan; Com- 
pany D, Paris; Company E, Carbondale; Company F, Benton; Company G, 
Effingham; Company H, Shelbyville; Company I, Vandalia; Company K, 
Cairo; Company L, Olney; Company M, Champaign; headquarters com- 
pany, Anna; machine gun company, Dieterich; supply company, Bellflower. 

In the early part of October the regiment was ordered to Camp Logan, 
with the other Illinois National Guard units, from which the Thirty- third 
Division was organized. The Fourth Infantry became the 130th Infantry, a 
part of the Sixty-fifth Infantry Brigade. 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



445 




COLONEL FRANK S. WOOD 
First commander of the 130th Infantry. 



Lieutenant Colonel Elijah P. 

Clayton was in command of the 

Fourth Infantry when it reached 

Camp Logan. In the next few months, 

while it was in training, the regiment 

had several commanding officers. 

When the Fifth Infantry was split up 

and transformed into machine gun 

battalions, with the organization of 

the Thirty-third Division, Colonel 

Frank S. Wood, who had been in 

command of the Fifth, was placed at 

the head of the new 130th Infantry, 

later being succeeded by Colonel Fine 

W. Smith, a regular army officer. The 

latter was followed by Colonel John 

J. Garrity, who held the command 

for a short time. 

At Camp Logan specialists from 

the French and British armies gave 

the regiment, with other units of the 

division, intensive training, and by means of draft contingents sent forward 

from Camp Grant, the personnel was increased to the proportions prescribed 

in revised army regulations. Although the regiment's training was somewhat 

delayed by the work of eliminating the physically unfit and enemy aliens from 

the drafts, the 130th was a well-trained unit by May, 191 8, when the division 

received orders to move. 

On IVIay 3, with Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Lang in command, the 

regiment left Camp Lo- 
gan. It was refitted at 
Camp Upton, N. Y., and 
then, on ]\Iay 16, sailed 
on the transport Aga- 
memnon, formerly the 
Kaiser W i 1 h e 1 m 11. 
Doubts entertained by 
any of the Illinois fight- 
ers as to the govern- 
ment's success in trans- 
porting troops vanished 
when, after an unevent- 
ful voyage, the Agamem- 
non steamed into the 
THE GOOD SHIP AG.\MEMNON harbor of Brest. On all 

Which carried the 130th Infantry to France. sideS were great shipS 




446 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

swarming with men in khaki. Fifty thousand soldiers were waiting to land, 
and the 130th was held on board ship from the 24th to the 26th of May, be- 
fore its turn came to disembark. 

With other units of the division the 130th remained for a week at Ponta- 
nezen barracks near Brest. Then it entrained for the British front, arriving at 
Oisemont on June i and 2. 

Regimental headquarters, with the supply and headquarters companies 
attached, were established at Maigneville. The first battalion was billeted at 
\'ismes-au-Val, the second at Recourt, the third at Doudelainville, and the 
machine gun company at Sept Meules. 

The British were genuinely glad to see the Americans. The British briga- 
dier general in charge of the transportation of the troops to the war zone could 
scarcely believe the statement that 50,000 American soldiers were in Brest. 

'•My word!" he exclaimed. ''That's jolly fine news, but did they get here 
soon enough?" 

That question was to be answered presently in unmistakable terms. In 
the meantime the British did not attempt to disguise their delight in the fact 
that Americans were in their area. Their morale had been weakened by the 
March drive of the Germans, and they frequently reminded the newcomers 
that if the Germans should strike again it would be the Americans who would 
have to stop them. They felt, too, that unless the Americans could deliver the 
knockout blow the Germans would triumph. 

Every possible assistance was given the 130th by the British. Skilled 
commissioned and noncommissioned officers were assigned to the regiment as 
instructors, and all the tricks which four years of trench fighting had developed 
were taught to the Illinois troops. 

The stay at Maigneville was not long. The regiment was transferred 
early in June to the vicinity of Eu, another town on the British front. There 
the Springfield rifles were given up and British rifles were issued in their stead. 
The change was not an agreeable one. The men found it difficult to become 
proficient in the use of the new piece and did not have in it the same confi- 
dence they had in the Springfield. But they made the best of it and practiced 
steadily with rifles, grenades and bayonets. By June 21 they had reached 
such a degree of efficiency that the British considered them ready for actual 
service. The regiment was sent into the Long area to practice in attack forma- 
tion with ball cartridges, live grenades and machine guns. 

Officers and noncommissioned officers were sent to the front for tours of 
observation in the Australian trenches. Each of these tours covered four days, 
and the regiment soon learned that excitement was to be found wherever 
"Aussies" were engaged. All of the officers had hazardous and thrilling expe- 
riences. One tour resulted in the regiment's first casualty: Lieutenant Charles 
Twiss of Shelbyville was severely wounded by a German grenade while accom- 
panying a patrol in No Man's Land. 

During this training period the command of the regiment changed hands 
for the last time. From the time of its muster into the federal service the 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



447 




LIEUTENANT COLONELS OF THE 130TH INFANTRY 
Above: Edward J. Lang (left); John J. Bullington. 
Below: Elijah P. Clayton, James Lindsay-Oliver. 



448 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




A CAPTURED GERMAN TRAIN IN 1 HE BRITISH SECTOR 



130th had had no fewer than eight commanders, but in June the appointment 
of Colonel John V. Clinnin ended this uncertainty. Colonel Clinnin was to 
lead the regiment through the rest of its active service. 

The battle practice in the Long area lasted until July 17, when the regi- 
ment was sent forward in the Australian Corps area to a station within reach 
of the German 150-millimeter shells. Headquarters were estabhshed at an old 
prison camp near Querrieu, and the second and third battalions were placed 
in the Card system of trenches, part of the x\ustralian defenses. Some units 
were sent to the front line to fight beside the ''Aussies," from whom they 
quickly learned what they did not know already of actual combat methods. 

On August 5 the regiment was transferred to a British corps and stationed 
north of the Querrieu position in Molliens Wood. The third battalion went 
into trenches near Albert on August 7, while the rest of the regiment was sent 
forward to act as combat liaison between the British and Australian flanks in 
an attack delivered August 8. In this action they relieved part of the Eigh- 
teenth British Division in the line between the Ancre and Somme rivers at 
Morlancourt on the loth. 

The 142nd Infantry Brigade, British Expeditionary Eorces, relieved the 
regiment on the night of August 11, and the next night the 130th was ordered 
back to its starting point. On the way it had its first experience with an actual 
battlefield. The route lay across the field of Morlancourt, so well known to 
the British and the Australians. The scene was beyond description; its hor- 
rors will never be forgotten by the men of the 130th. 

IMolliens Wood was reached again on the afternoon of August 12, and de- 
tachments from the first and second battalions were assigned immediately to 
the Eighteenth British Division, then in the line at Albert. The companies 
went forward in rotation, serving in the line beside British units in this way 
until August 20, when the division received the welcome news that it was to 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



449 




THE CHURCH AT BRAY-SUR-SOMME 

The cross on the roof indicates its use by the Germans as a 
hospital. 



entrain for transport to 
the American front. 

The service with the 
British had cost the 
130th six men killed and 
twenty-nine wounded, 
but that price had bought 
invaluable experience. 
Too much cannot be 
said for the training 
given the regiment by 
British and Australian 
veterans. The lessons 
learned from them were 
not appreciated fully un- 
til later, when the mis- 
takes of less thoroughly 
schooled American units, 
costing heavy casualties 

and confusion, made the 130th realize its good fortune. In addition to lessons 
in actual combat the British taught their Illinois pupils how to develop and 
maintain an efficient transport and service of supply. And the men of the 
130th always will remember the splendid artillery support given by the British 
and the magnificent behavior of the Royal Flying Corps. Memory of the 
latter is especially distinct because it is linked with recollections of the purr 

of the giant German 
Gothas which rained 
missiles of death back of 
the lines whenever the 
British flyers could be 
evaded. 

Nevertheless, the 
order to join the Amer- 
ican army was joyfully 
received. The men were 
anxious to be with their 
own comrades and to re- 
gain the Springfield rifles 
they had exchanged for 
British pieces. To get 
back the Springfield was 
like finding a long-lost 
friend. 

A USELESS GIANT AT CAPPY-SUR-SOMME p. , , . , 

great gun, used in the bombardment of Amiens, was -t^lgnt days alter the 

wrecked bv the Germans. order tO mOVe WaS re- 




This 



450 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



ceived the regiment arrived in the rear of the American front, having made the 
journey by way of Paris and Chateau-Thierry. Eight more days were devoted 
to divisional maneuvers, in which the perfecting of liaison was the aim. Then, 
on the night of September 5-6, the regiment moved in auto trucks to the vicin- 
ity of Verdun. A few days later billets and dugouts in the Bois de Bethain- 
ville were occupied. They were held until the night of September 21-22, when 
the regiment marched to Moulin Brule and the Bois de Ville, just outside Ver- 
dun, to await the launching of the expected offensive down the Meuse valley. 

Major James Lindsay-Oliver and the first battalion reported to the gen- 
eral commanding the Sixty-sixth Infantry Brigade on September 24, and were 
assigned to the task of helping the io8th Engineers place footbridges across 




THE JOYS OF A REAL BATH 

Men of the 130th Infantry in the Meuse-Rhine canal. 

Forges Creek, which ran through the middle of No Man's Land in front of 
Dead Man's Hill, one of the most famous points in the Verdun sector. 

Companies A, C and D assisted in this dangerous job early on the morn- 
ing of September 26, while the attacking infantry on Dead Man's Hill was pre- 
paring to advance. Company B, the fourth unit of the battalion, supported the 
122nd Machine Gun Battalion, which was covering the advance from positions 
north of the town of Cumieres. Company B lost two killed and four wounded, 
but the other companies accomplished their task without loss. Meanwhile the 
other battalions had been assembled in a ravine just south of the Fort de 
Bourrus, one of the many forts about Verdun, to act as a part of the divisional 
reserve. After the attack had been launched the units were sent to the vicinity 
of Dead Man's Hill and Chattancourt. 

Chattancourt was being heavily shelled, but the regiment reached its des- 
tination without any casualties and bivouacked in the trenches about the town. 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



4SI 



The choice of trenches 
as a camping ground was 
wise, for in the night the 
Germans directed heavy 
fire against Chattan- 
court. By morning the 
first battahon had re- 
turned, and the entire 
regiment was ordered to 
advance to Bethincourt, 
a town immediately in 
front of Dead Man's 
Hill. An attempt was 
made to march along the 
Chattancourt - E s n e s - 




CHATTANCOURT IN 1916 



Bethincourt road, but at Esnes the volume of traffic was such that progress 
was impossible. Transport trains, artillery and ambulances filled the road. 
The regiment was marched back to the western edge of Dead Man's Hill. 
Then, proceeding in single file, it slowly worked its way across the ghastly bat- 
tlefield, where hundreds of thousands were slain in 191 6. Bethincourt was 
reached at 10 a. m. The regiment stayed there until the following morning, 
September 27. 

A grotesque incident provoked a wild alarm in the night. A hungry mule, 
tied to the rear of an ammunition wagon, chewed the lid from a box of hand 
grenades. He bit into a grenade and 'Vent west" with a bang which startled 

the camp. A sentry nearby, unable to think 
of any other alarm, shouted, "Gas!" Other 
sentries repeated the warning cry. In an in- 
stant the whole regiment had tumbled out, 
with gas masks adjusted. The real cause of 
the alarm was not discovered until someone 
stumbled over the mule. The driver was 
found under the wagon, slightly wounded. 

Orders to make a reconnaissance of the 
front lines occupied by the Eightieth Divi- 
sion, immediately on the left of the Thirty- 
third Division's front, were received at about 
noon on the 28th. The regimental com- 
mander, with battalion, company and pla- 
toon commanders, made the reconnaissance, 
and in the evening the regiment advanced 
toward the sector, bivouacking near the Bois 

d'en Dela, without any protection from the 
THE POSTOFFICE AT CHATTAN- , - u- u ( ii fW„„i,^„f ^h^ r„-cTV.t 

COURT heavy ram which fell throughout the nignt. 

At the end of 1918. Early the next morning the 130th was 




452 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




ON THE WEST BANK OF THE MEUSE 
The operations of the 130th in the Dannevoux sector. 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



453 




ON THE EAST BANK OF THE MEUSE RIVER 

Showing the positions and operations of the 130th from October q to 21. 



454 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



ordered to relieve the 320th Infantry of the Eightieth Division, then holding 
the line in the Bois de la Cote Lemont. The relief was made with difficulty, as 
the 320th had suffered heavy casualties and was somewhat disorganized. 
Heavy gas and shell fire from the right bank of the Meuse, where the under- 
brush was so thick that one could not see a hundred yards in any direction, con- 
tributed to the confusion. Despite these difficulties the relief was effected 
with minimum casualties. 

For more than two weeks the 130th held the sector, undergoing a severe 
bombardment all the time. Twenty-seven men were killed and nine officers 
and 135 men were wounded during this period, but the 130th held its lines and 
inflicted heavy damage on the enemy. Six trench mortars, twenty machine 
guns, 25,000 grenades and great quantities of ammunition, signal property 
and pyrotechnics were captured from the Germans. The 132nd Infantry re- 
lieved the 130th on October 15, and the latter, crossing to the right bank of 
the Meuse, took over the trenches of the 129th Infantry north of Consenvoye. 
The third battalion already had seen action in this sector, losing many 
men while participating in attacks by other units of the Thirty-third Division. 

This battalion, under 
command of Major Ed- 
ward Bittel, had been at- 
tached to the 129th In- 
fantry, and had taken 
part with that regiment 
and the 131st in an at- 
tack delivered on the 
morning of October 10. 
The battalion had 
crossed the IMeuse on the 
night of the 9th, and on 
the following morning it 
leap-frogged through the 
131st Infantry in an at- 
tack north of Consen- 
voye in the Bois du Plat 
Chene and the Bois de 
Chaume. The battalion, 
operating with the 129th, 
gained all its objectives 
and dug in on the cap- 
tured ground. It was 
this advanced position 
that the rest of the 130th 
took over from the 129th 
on October 16. The reg- 
iment continued to hold 




THE ADVANCE THROUGH ESNES 
A typical scene on the highway through Esnes during the 
ciays of the Argonne advance. 



first 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



455 




MAJOR BITTEL'S HEADQUARTERS IN THE BOIS DE CHAUME 

Here and in the Bois du Plat Chcne, the third battalion had joined the 131st Infantry in an 

attack north of Consenvoye. The officer is Captain Harry L. Streeter. 

the new position until October 21. It was constantly under fire, and lost 
twenty-three men killed and three officers and sixty-six men wounded before 
relief came. The 130th was relieved by the Second French Colonial Infantry 
on the night of October 20-21, and withdrew to the vicinity of Fort de Bourrus. 

On the evening of the 21st, after a brief rest, the regiment was ordered to 
make a forced march to Rupt-en-Woevre, twenty-two miles away. Officers and 
men were exhausted by the long hike, coming as it did after severe service in 
the trenches, but their spirits were revived by the promise of at least ten days 
of rest. 

At Rupt-en-Woevre this promise failed of fulfillment. The hard-pressed 
enemy could not be permitted to recuperate. Fresh troops were not available. 
The 130th was sent back into the line. The second battalion on October 23 re- 
lieved a battalion of the 313th Infantry, Seventy-ninth Division. The other 
battalions completed the relief on the 25th. 

The main defense line in this new sector lay along heights overlooking the 
plain of the Woevre. Outposts were situated in the towns of Fresnes, Champion 
and Saulx. This had been known as a quiet sector, but the 130th had no sooner 
taken it over than it became active. The German artillery increased the volume 
of its fire from 100 to 1,500 and 2,000 shells a day. The regiment was ordered 
to give the enemy no rest. Accordingly strong patrols of one and two com- 
panies were kept in the field day and night, continually to harass the Germans. 

About a mile and a half in front of Fresnes was the Chateau d'Aulnois, an 
enemy stronghold which soon became a trouble center. For four years the 
magnificent chateau, with its barns and outbuildings, had furnished the Ger- 



456 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



mans with comfortable quarters. By this time it had been partly destroyed 
by artillery fire but still was commodious enough for use as a company head- 
quarters. It was menacing, too, for the reason that the ruins afforded safe 
shelter for many machine gun teams and patrols. From these hiding places the 
Germans were able to sally forth at night to lie in wait for the i3oth's patrols. 
Partly because of the chateau's importance and partly because corps 
headquarters had been calling for prisoners, it was decided to raid the strong- 
hold, capture some of the defenders, obtain identifications and take or destroy 
the annoying machine guns. Companies A and C were selected for the big 
raid. The 123rd Machine Gun Battalion was instructed to cooperate. The 
commanding officer of that battalion selected positions for his barrage fire, 
which was to be directed especially against the enemy's right flank to prevent 
reenforcements from coming forward. The artillery barrage was to begin at 
5:00 a. m., with destructive fire on near-by towns. At 5:40 o'clock it was to 
shift to a standing barrage, 450 yards in front of the chateau. Five minutes 
later the infantry was to advance, and the barrage was to be moved forward 
at the rate of 100 yards in four minutes. After bringing the chateau within 
range, the artillerymen were to box it on three sides with a standing barrage 
to shut out reinforcements and prevent the garrison from escaping. 



! 












1 



PANORAMA OF THE PLAIN OF THE WOEVRE 

In the foreground the village of Combres; in the distance Champion. In the same direction, 
but not visible, lie Saulx, Wadonville, Marchevi!le and St. Hilaire. 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



457 




THE HIGHWAY INTO FRESNES-EN-WOEVRE 



Hearing the raiding party's preparations, the Germans opened fire with 
machine guns and sent up frequent signal rockets to draw artillery support. 
Evidently the signals were not seen through the heavy fog, for the artillery 
did not respond. Later it was learned from prisoners that the Germans, misled 
by the extensive artillery preparation, believed a general attack was to be 
launched. 

The American artillery followed the prearranged schedule, and at 5:45 
o'clock the infantry went over. Company C moved forward rapidly on the 
left, where obstacles were not numerous, but Company A, on the right, had to 
flounder through mud and wire. Notwithstanding these difficulties, Company 
A reached the chateau on time and charged beside Company C against the 
many machine gun emplacements. The gunners were bombed or bayoneted 
until all resistance had been stamped out and the garrison overwhelmed. 
Prisoners were quickly lined up; arms, ammunition and supplies were de- 
stroyed, and in fifteen minutes the attacking force was on its way back. One 
German officer and twenty-two men were delivered behind the American lines. 
They were forced to carry the eight Illinois men who had been wounded and 
the bodies of two who had been killed in the fight. 

The attack was marked by many heroic performances. In fighting their 
way across the muddy, wire-strung No Man's Land and in mopping up the 
enemy's machine gun positions, officers and men displayed great bravery. 
The Distinguished Service Cross was awarded later to Lieutenant Richard L. 
McMunn of Company C, and John G. Burr, a first-class private, for gallantry 
displayed in this action. 



458 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Although reports 
were being received 
daily to the effect that 
an armistice soon would 
be arranged, orders were 
to keep pushing ahead. 
It was known that the 
Allies' commanders were 
planning to start a great 
offensive in the direction 
of Metz on November 
14 and that the line 
would have to be im- 
proved in advance of 
this attack. The task of 
the 130th was to capture 
Marcheville, a strongly 
ON THE PLAIN OF THE WOEVRE fortified town, which 

The terrain bevond Marcheville was a nest of wire and mines. could not be disposed of 

easily in a general attack and therefore had to be taken first in order to clear 
the jumping-off line. 

Marcheville was occupied by two companies of Prussians, with outposts 
at Hill 233, about three-quarters of a mile to the west, and gun teams in 
machine gun nests covering the front from Riaville to St. Hilaire. It lay in 
the sector held by the second battalion of the 130th, which was commanded 





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THE 130TH INFANTRY 



459 




THE FLOODED TOWN OF MARCHE\ ILLE 



by Major Albert H. Gravenhorst. This battalion was ordered to make the 
attack on the morning of November 10. Prisoners were to be taken for 
identification and information, and the town was to be seized and held as an 
outpost position, flanking the towns of Riaville and St. Hilaire and affording 
an entering wedge with which to break the enemy's defense system between 
Etain, Conflans, and Metz. 

The disposition of the infantry for the attack was unique. Companies 
F and G jumped off from a line about a quarter of a mile southwest of 
Marcheville. Companies E and H, acting as support and reserve, moved 
forward from the direction of the town of Saulx. half a mile in the rear of 
Company F's left flank, leaving that flank uncovered. 

At the zero hour a 
heavy fog hung over 
this area, enabling the 
attacking troops to move 
forward unseen. As a 
result they took the en- 
emy completely by sur- 
prise. The speed of the 
attack and the direction 
from which it came, com- 
bined with the fog, so 
bewildered the Germans 
that an outpost position 
manned by one officer 
and twenty-six men was the wreck of a bank in etain 




THE 130TH INFANTRY 



461 



taken without much trouble. As the skirmish Hne reached the outskirts of 
the village, however, it encountered an aroused and ready foe. Terrific ma- 
chine gun fire from prepared positions in the buildings of the town checked 
the advance and forced the Americans to seek cover in trenches and shell 
holes. Artillery fire against the center of the town was called for and given. 
A few minutes later Captain Fred Givens, commander of Company F, sent 
back word that the infantry was going forward and the bombardment should 
cease. The cannonading stopped. Soon three red star rockets proclaimed 
Marcheville captured and all objectives reached. Many of the Germans had 
been killed, and all the survivors — six officers and eighty-two men — were 
taken prisoners. Twelve machine guns were destroyed. 




A STREET SCENE IN ETAIN 

Etain was one of the important German defenses in the system of which Metz was the center. 



American losses had been severe. Many officers and men had been 
wounded by machine gun fire. Since there were no motor ambulances nearer 
than the reverse slope of a hill nearly five miles away, the wounded men were 
carried by relays of bearers over a difficult terrain. 

In the afternoon the enemy counterattacked in force behind a barrage 
of heavy guns. The Germans reached the eastern edge of Marcheville, and 
the situation for a time was serious. Then the American artillery laid a 
counter-barrage exactly on the enemy's line, inflicting heavy losses and break- 
ing up the attack, the enemy retiring in disorder. This attack by the 130th, 
starting just thirty hours before the armistice was declared, was one of the 
last minor engagements of the great war. The originality of the tactics 
employed and the skill manifested in the execution of the attack made the 



46: 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



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THE ARMISTICE IS SIGNED 
The message received by Colonel Clinnin on the morning of November ii, 1918. 

operation rank with the most daring and successful maneuvers of the whole 
war. The exploit won letters of commendation from the brigade, division, 
corps and army commanders. 

Many officers and men won medals for bravery displayed during this 
attack. Among them was Captain Givens, who, although wounded, refused to 
be removed until the attack had succeeded. Private Clarence G. Malott of 
Company F lost his life in a single-handed attack on a machine gun nest, a 
deed for which he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. 
First Sergeant Curtis M. Crisp of Company F received a similar award for 
gallantry in this action, and William Bowine Clemmens, a Y. M. C. A. worker 
attached to the battalion, was recommended for the Distinguished Service 
Medal in recognition of his exceptional services as a stretcher bearer. 
Clemmens was under heavy machine gun and artillery fire from 6 to 11 
o'clock on the morning of the attack, but worked fearlessly to save the lives 
of wounded men. 

On the morning of the war's last day, November 11, at 5:00 o'clock, 
another attack was launched in conjunction with units in adjoining sectors. 
At 8:21 a. m., however, the brigade commander, notified that the armistice 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



463 




AIRPLANE VIEW OF THE TOWN OF CONFLANS 
One of the great German railheads back of the Argonne. Hundreds of freight cars are clearly 

visible in the background. 

had been signed, ordered the regiment to cease firing and hold all positions. 
That order brought a sudden end to the most important campaign in which 
the 130th had taken part. Thirty-three men had been killed, twelve officers 
and 306 men had been wounded, eleven had been captured, and three reported 
missing during the regiment's occupation of this Woevre sector. 

The total casualties, from July 12 to November 11, were as follows: 



Officers 

Killed o 

Wounded 25 

Prisoners o 

Missing o 



Other Ranks 

89 

537 
II 

3 



Total 25 



640 



In the four months of service in the line the 130th had been confronted 
at different times by the Tenth Bavarian Infantry, R. I. R.; the First Austrian 
Division; the Fifth Storm Battalion (Prussian); the 213th Infantry, R. I. R.; 
the Sixtieth Landwehr Regiment; the 365th Landweh. Regiment, and the 
Second Austrian Division. 



464 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



The i2Qth Infantry relieved the 130th on November 12, and the latter 
marched to Ambly and its vicinity, where the hard-worked Illinoisans had a 
chance to rest and refit themselves after forty-seven days of continuous 
service in the line. The regiment was occupied with reorganization, for 200 
replacements were sent forward at that time. 

From December 7 to 20 the 130th was on the march into Luxemburg. 
The four months spent in the duchy, in Bittendorf and its vicinity, will be 
remembered by the men of the regiment as the most enjoyable period of their 
foreign service. The war was over, so far as fighting was concerned. Although 
training was resumed, it was of a modified character, intended simply to keep 
the regiment physically fit. Schools were established to give instruction in 
military and general educational matters. The several welfare organizations 
provided entertainment and reading matter. 

The 130th Infantry always had boasted of having the best transport in 
the division, and under the watchful eye of Colonel Clinnin it was developed 
to an even higher degree of efficiency during the after-armistice days. At that 
time General Pershing, after an inspection, wrote to the regimental commander 
that the transport was not equalled by that of any other organization in the 
American Expeditionary Forces. 

General Pershing reviewed the entire Thirty-third Division in April, 191 9, 
and a few days later the homeward journey was begun. The entrainment of 
the 130th began April 24, but it was May 11 before the entire command had 




COMPANY H PASSING HEADQUARTERS AT CONFLANS 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



465 




MAJORS OF THE 130TH INFANTRY 
. TTvanl- P Auld Harrv M. Brown, James J. Dineen. 



466 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



made the trip to Brest, passed through the disinfecting process, and boarded 
the transport Siboney. 

After a stormy voyage the regiment landed at Hoboken on the morning 
of May 20. Officers and men from other states than IlHnois were detached at 
Camp Mills, N. Y., and the Illinois contingent then entrained for Chicago and 
Camp Grant. 

The regiment participated in a parade and homecoming celebration in 
Chicago, then went to Rockford for demobilization. The last men were dis- 
charged on May 31, and the regiment ceased to exist. 

The 130th had served its country in the World War from July 25, 191 7, 
to May 31, 1919 — nearly two years. It had developed an efficiency not 
surpassed by any other regiment in the United States' fighting forces. Nearly 
one hundred men of the 130th lie buried in the battlefields of France, where 
they gave their all for liberty. Some fell near Albert, some near Verdun, and 
others on the plain of the Woevre. 

Those who returned came back conscious of hard duty well performed. 
The 130th Infantry never had received special favors, nor had it sought them. 
Officers and men had been imbued with the spirit of the soldier, to whom an 
order received is an order to be obeyed. All tasks assigned had been per- 
formed promptly and well. Every member of the regiment may be proud of 
its glorious achievements, now written indelibly on the pages of American 
history. 




AT THE DIVISION REVIEW AT ETTELBRUCK 
General Edward L. King, Colonel Edgar A. Myer, Colonel John V. Clinnin. 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



467 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 130TH INFANTRY WHO WERE KILLED IN ACTION, DIED 
OF WOUNDS OR DIED OF DISEASE OVERSEAS 



Second LieiUenanls 

George Aloysius Burke 
Howard C. Sawyer 
Ennis Stillwell 
Slater H. Vallintine 

Sergeant Major 

Lawrence McCullum 

Sergeants 

Rutherford Alcock 
Ivory Bush 
Ferdinand Decker 
Edw. H. Moschenrose 
James Reeder 
Russel Roberts 
William Watson 

Corporals 

William J. Allen 
Curtis L. Albison 
John Balch 
Wm. F. Campbell 
Victor Cleveland 
Roy L. Collins 
Melvin H. Connor 
Alphonse F. Couture 
James O. Fields 
William W. Hayden 
Elmer T. Hayward 
Homer Kelly 
William L. Kugelman 
Roscoe M. Lutz 
Pete T. McGovern 
George W. Mills 
Dewey Orr 
Rosamond L. Reed 
Harry L. Riddle 
Nolan Smith 
Ira Swanger 
E. D. Tongan 
Leslie Wade 
Ralph Weeden 

Mechanics 

Hallie Avis 
Henry Fouts 

Saddlers 

Quido G. Coluzzi 
Frank H. Sherlock 

Wagoners 

Oscar R. Hanson 
Otha Randolph 

Cooks 

Clauae Dalton 
Felix J. Eckiro 



Musician 

William Richards 

Privates, First Class 
George H. Anna 
Richard F. Cartan 
Angelo Cremo 
Kirk H. Duncan 
James M. Ellis 
Hugh M. Floro 
Doris F. Hall 
William Heide 
Lee N. Kibler 
Oscar Male 
Clarence G. Malott 
Cardell F. Morgan 
Recco Mostocone 
Theodore F. Neby 
Axel W. Nelson 
Sam Pellettiere 
William Pollard 
Ollie E. Pullen 
Ben Robenovitz 
Fred Rawland 
Charles Stokes 
Clarence Sutton 
Ernest W. Vancil 

Privates 

Otto Baldwin 
Rex C. Beecher 
Ernest Beth 
Nickolas Benedetto 
Romulus Berens 
Henry Bergfeldt 
Fred C. Bicknell 
Levi Bishop 
Admiral R. Blakeslee 
Andrew Bormai 
George Brandenberg 
Marinus Christensen 
John M. Connelly 
Ernest M. Coulter 
Edward F. Cronin 
Roy F. Dalton 
James Dandy 
Andrew Davis 
James Demorest 
Hilder Fredrickson 
Julius D. Froehde 
Clarence Fitzgerald 
Patrick J. Gaynor 
Fred E. Gelsinger 
Dennie Grace 
Frank Gruba 
Roy W. Hamm 
Carl Hanson 
William J. Hartnett 



468 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Harry Hawk 
Ova D. A. Hazelbaker 
Martin O. Heggen 
Theodore Hoffman 
Wm. B. Hoffman 
Marshall Innis 
William Icheln 
Waldemar Jensen 
Emil H. Johnson 
Ernest Johnson 
Walter Johnson 
Michael M. Kirlin 
Albert Knutson 
Carl Kruse 
Clifford Larson 
Raymond R. Leathers 
John Liberis 
Elmer W. Lindahl 
La Force Lock 
Henry Love 
Lloyd O. Magee 
William E. Mabry 
Chester Manuel 
Walter McCoy 
Lewis A. Morken 
Frank J. Myers 
Jesse G. Nixon 
Bernard Paddock 
Otto W. Peterson 
Warner P. Pierson 



William O. Quirk 
Lawrence C. Reed 
Stanley Sakowich 
Bernel G. Sawstad 
Oscar Sandrock 
Walter J. Scherer 
William L. Schrank 
Daniel Schue 
Herbert Sella 
Jake Schrago 
Johannes Snater 
Mathias Specht 
Ralph M. Spink 
Arvid S. Sternquist 
Roy Strond 
Fred Studeman 
George Smith 
Joseph Svoboda 
Marion M. Sunhorst 
Samuel T. Taylor 
Alexander Terzegolsky 
Roy L. Thomas 
Jesse Thompson 
Albert Thompson 
Oscar L. Thompson 
Charles J. Tweedy 
Glenn West 
Elza L. Willis 
Ray Wilson 



DECORATIONS RECEIVED BY OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 130TH INFANTRY 



Major 

Ray H. Humphrey 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Captain 

Fred G. Givens 

Distinguished Service Cross 

First Lieutenant 

Claude W. Austin 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Second Lieutenant 

Richard L. McMunn 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre 

Corporals 

Herman B. Bartels 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Vincenzo Caserta 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Victor A. Cleveland 

Distinguished Service Cross 
James O. Fields 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre with Gold Star 
Ira V. Swanger 

Distinguished Service Cross 



First Sergeant 

Curtis M. Crisp 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre 

Sergeants 

John E. Daughty 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre 
Lou H. Drennon 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Mechatric 

John G. Burr 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Privates, First Class 

Richard W. Holland 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Eimer J. Kilcher 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Privates 

Charles W. Booth 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre 
James Lake 

Distinguished Service Cross 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



469 



William B. Lyerly 

Distinguished Service Cross 
James G. Malott 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Ollie Pope 

Distinguished Service Cross 



Herman S. Seibel 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Willis Rodgers 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Croix de Guerre 



CITATIONS FOR THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 

Major Ray H. Humphrey, Medical Corps: 

Near Bois de Septsarges, October 4, 1918, Major Humphrey, then captain, having just 
been transferred to the 130th Infantry, was seriously wounded in the head when on his way to 
take up his work at the regimental aid post. He refused to be evacuated, but continued on 
duty caring for the wounded. Later he proceeded under severe artillery fire to the battalion 
aid post, where he continued his work under most trying conditions. 

Captain Fred G. Givens: 

Near Marcheville, November 10, 1018, Captain Givens led the attack with exceptional 
bravery, and, although wounded when passing through a heavy barrage, would not leave his 
company until his objective had been reached and the plans made for its defense. 

First Lieiitenanl Claude W. Austin: 

South of Dun-sur-Meuse, October 5, 1918, a shell struck an old building in front of a 
dugout occupied by one of Lieutenant Austin's machine gun teams, wounding two of the men 
who were just coming out and hurling them to the bottom of the steps. Fire spread from the 
building to the dugout, which contained grenades and high explosives. Lieutenant Austin unhesi- 
tatingly ran to the rescue of the two men and dragged them out, but they died a short time 
later. He then entered the dugout and brought out five unwounded men, undoubtedly saving 
their lives, for the dugout was totally destroyed a short time later. The entire exploit was 
carried on under sniper fire, as well as machine gun and artillery fire from three sides of the 
salient. 

Second Lieutenant Richard L. McMunn: 

Near Chateau et Ferme d'Aulnois, November 7, 1018, Lieutenant McMunn, leading his 
platoon against a strong machine gun emplacement, cut his way through two bands of barbed 
wire and succeeded in reaching the stronghold. Although suffering from severe wounds he remained 
on duty until the action was over. 

First Sergeant Curtis M. Crisp, Company F: 

At Marcheville, November 10, 1918, when all the company runners had been wounded 
in a raid, Sergeant Crisp volunteered to establish liaison with an adjacent company. While 
going through a heavy barrage under sniper fire from three directions, he was knocked uncon- 
scious by the concussion of a shell. LTpon recovering he succeeded in killing a sniper who was 
picking off our men and had wounded his company commander. Though unable to stand, 
Sergeant Crisp insisted on staying on duty with his company. 

Sergeant John E. Daughty, Company F: 

In the Evergreen Woods, November 6, 1918, Sergeant Daughty, while on daylight patrol, 
displayed exceptional bravery when with one man he fought a large force of the enemy, killing 
a German officer and two machine gunners. Surrounded by the enemy, he captured a German 
corporal and fought his way out with his pistol, not having time to load his rifle. He marched 
his prisoner to the rear at the point of his bayonet, though running the risk of being captured 
himself, in order to carry out orders to take at least one prisoner. 

Sergeant Lou H. Drennon, Company F: 

At Marcheville, November 10, 1018, Sergeant Drennon, although severely wounded, continued 
to lead his men until they had reached their objective, when he fell completely exhausted. 

Corporal Herman B. Bartels, Company F: 

At Marcheville, November 10, 1Q18, while maintaining liaison with an adjacent company 
in a raid, Corporal Bartels personally cleared out two dugouts, taking a number of prisoners. 
He was later wounded, but continued in action until he fell. 



470 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 

Top row: Captain Fred G. Givens. Second Lieutenant Richard L. McMunn, First Sergeant 
Curtis M. Crisp. 

Second row: Sergeant L. H. Drennon, Corporal Vincenzo Caserta, Corporal V. A. Cleveland. 
Bottom row: Privates Ollie Pope, Willis Rodgers, Elmer J. Kilcher. 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 471 

Corporal Vincenzo Caserta, Company F: 

Near Marcheville, November lo, 1918, Corporal Caserta, although wounded early in the 
attack, continued to lead his squad to its objective and refused to leave the field until ordered to 
do so by an officer. 

Corporal Victor A. Cleveland (deceased), Company L: 

In the Bois de Chaume, October 12, IQ18, Corporal Cleveland led a detail to the rescue of an 
officer who had been caught in a heavy barrage of gas and high explosive shells and severely 
wounded. In an effort to get the wounded officer to an aid station this courageous soldier was 
killed. 

Corporal James O. Fields, Company D: 

At Fresnes-en-Woevre, November 10, IQ18, Corporal Fields went into an intense enemy barrage 
to rescue a wounded soldier. While accomplishing this heroic feat he was severely wounded. 

Corporal Ira V. Swanger (deceased). Company F: 

At Marcheville, November 10, iqi8, after showing exceptional bravery and judgment in leading 
his squad against machine gun positions Corporal Swanger was mortally wounded. Realizing he 
had no chance for recovery, he refused to permit stretcher-bearers to carry him to the rear, urging 
them to care for others whose condition was less serious. 

Mechanic John G. Burr, Company A: 

Near Raiville, November q, IQ18, Mechanic Burr, as he was administering first aid to a 
wounded comrade in a raid, was attacked by several of the enemy. Undaunted by the superior 
force, he succeeded in killing four and driving off the others. 

Private ( First-Class ) Richard W. Holland, Company F: 

Near Marcheville, November 10, 1018, when his platoon was in an isolated position and 
exposed to heavy fire, Private Holland volunteered to carry a message through the rain of machine 
gun bullets and shells. His rifle was shot from his hand, but he delivered the message. 

Private ( First-Class ) Elmer J. Kilcher, Company D : 

At Fresnes-en-Woevre, November 10, 1Q18, Private Kilcher voluntarily returned through the 
enomy"s barrage after a raid to rescue another soldier who had been wounded. He was himself 
wounded. 

Private Charles W. Booth, Company F: 

Near Marcheville, November 10, IQ18, after being wounded twice by sniper fire. Private Booth 
continued to crawl forward until he located and killed the sniper who was picking off our men. 

Private James Lake, Company B: 

Near Bellicourt, September 29, IQ18, with eight other soldiers. Private Lake assisted his com- 
pany commander in cleaning out enemy dugouts and capturing 242 prisoners. 

Private William B. Lyerly, Company D: 

Near Bellicourt, September 20, 1918, with eight other soldiers, Private Lyerly assisted his 
company commander in cleaning out enemy dugouts and capturing 242 prisoners. 

Private Ollie Pope, Company C: 

Between St. Quentin and Cambrai, October 9, 1918, Private Pope was wounded and, after 
having his wounds dressed, was unable to locate his company. He returned, however, to the front 
line, and fought throughout the day, locating and returning to his own organization after dark. 

Private Herman S. Seibel, Company D: 

Near Bellicourt, September 29, 1018, with eight other soldiers. Private Seibel assisted his com- 
pany commander in cleaning out enemy dugouts and capturing 242 prisoners. 

Private Willis Rodger s. Company M: 

Near Consenvoye, October 10, 1918, Private Rodgers, although suffering painfully from an 
infected hand, acted as stretcher-bearer while his company was in action. He made five trips to 
the dressing stations, a total distance of about twenty-five miles, under shell fire at all stages of 
his journey. 



472 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 130TH INFANTRY TO WHOM GENERAL PERSHING 

AWARDED CERTIFICATES FOR ESPECIALLY MERITORIOUS 

AND CONSPICUOUS SERVICE 



Colonel 

John V. Clinnin 
Major 

Ray H. Humphrey 
First Lieutenant 

Clyde Brown 



Corporal 

George A. Piatt 
Mechanic 

John G. Burr 
Wagoner 

Vigo Olsen 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 130TH INFANTRY WHO WERE CITED FOR GALLANTRY 

BY GENERAL BELL 

t Received citations both from General Perching and General Bell. 



Colonel 

John V. Clinnin 

Majors 

t Edward Bittel 
Albert H. Gravenhorst 
Ray H. Humphrey 
Jabish H. Woodward, Jr. 

Captains 

E. Wayne Hight 
Earl Hunter 
Harmon L. Ruff 
Jesse W. Scott 

First Lieutenants 
Loren C. Batson 
t Clyde Brown 
Stanley B. Brown 
Loren C. Clayton 
Merlin L. Dappert 
Michael B. Driscoll 
Thomas W. Farwell 
Henry T. Johnson 
Carl McKinney 
Glenn Miller 
Harry M. Starnes 
Donald W. Stevenson 
George R. Wiley 
Hamilton L. Woods 
Fred W. Zimmerman 

Second Lieutenants 
Walter S. Cappels 
Charles L. Davis 
Halbert Dwight 
Ira M. Field 
Frank R. Johnson 
Edward McNally 
Floyd F. Mann 
William J. Sigler 
Clarence S. Miller 
Earl V. Nelson 

Regimental Sergeant Majors 
Louis A. Jackson 
Harry E. Osborn 



Battalion Sergeant Major 
John J. Walsh 

First Sergeants 

Paul J. Frankenstein 
Walter C. Glass 
Roy Hanna 
Glenn Kimble 
Lester R. Langley 
Huestis A. Mills 
Charles E. Monroney 
Sam Mopps 
Alma White 
John Winstead 

Band Sergeant 

Edward F. Swift 

Sergeants 

Oscar E. Alt 
William Althorp 
Claude S. Avers 
Jesse Bagley 
Ivan C. Bounds 
Ernest Bozarth 
Cecil R. Brayshaw 
Luther Bumpas 
Henry Burtschi 
Eugene Caffery 
Ben Campbell 
Carl L. CanHolten 
Edon R. Carson 
Edmund Coady 
Edward E. Cochran 
Claude N. Curry 
Mark J. Davis 
Isaac Dowling 
Harry Elston 
Carl E. Emonson 
George E. Endley 
Frank Erhart 
Clayton Frailey 
Arthur F. Frick 
George Gale 
Maurice H. Gangloff 
■ Otto R. Gilliland 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



473 



Benjamin Gnagey 
Harry D. Gotti 
Chester F. Greene 
William L. Grommett 
August W. Haak 
Leslie J. Hanauer 
William J. Heading 
Samuel J. Hearring 
James R. Herman 
Robert L. Hinman 
John J. Hogan 
Roy Hull 
Frank S. Hunt 
Charles A. Jameison 
Alden N. Kenkins 
John J. Keens 
C. Lauderbach 
Fred D. Lind 
Byron Markel 
Milton A. Martin 
Chalmer M. Mayo 
Phillip Miner 
Earl W. Muma 
t Stanley B. Mundell 
Thomas H. Neal 
David E. Noe 
Charles E. O'Neil 
Edward A. Palmer 
Clyde R. Reedy 
John O. Rising 
Glen C. Sci'lian 
Edward L. Scott 
David Sharrock 
Charles E. Simmons 
Donald C. Smith 
Ora Smith 
Maurice S. Stout 
Ben Thompson 
Chauncey O. Todd 
Arthur Trower 
Joseph S. Tully 
John F. Vraeske 
David R. Waggoner 
Ethelbcrt Ward 
Clinton F. Wisthoff 
Art L. Wood 

Corporals 

Daniel E. Ashbaugh 
Earl L. Ayers 
Roscoe V. Badlen 
Ralph Biard 
William J. Bland 
Francis F. Bobeck 
James A. Boucher 
George H. Bowers 
Harry Bush 
Walter Byrum 
Stanford Carrington 
Oliver Cleaver 



Cloyce I. Dixon 
Nicholas Douster 
Edward Fitzsimmons 
Wallace R. Fromm 
Charles L. Hammer 
Peter T. Heraty 
Charles L. Hicks 
Laverl C. Hudson 
George James 
Jesse James 
David A. Jenkins 
Ivan Johnson 
Floyd Kennedy 
Reedy Lathrop 
Carl R. Lind 
Ray W. Lindskog 
Guy F. McNett 
Elbert Matson 
E!mer Miller 
Edward Moon 
William F. Myer 
Tom Parker 
Karl Pine 
t George A. Piatt 
Harvey Reynolds 
Ola D. Richards 
Shirley E. Rogers 
Fred L. Rosemyer 
George Scheflow 
Eugene Schmidt 
Werner M. Schomaker 
Edward Shannon 
Jesse E. Smith 
John Stanwich 
Loren L. Smith 
Andrew L. Soloski 
Edmund Spitzler 
Clarence A. Swanson 
Rudolph D. Thompson 
William Townsend 
Robert L. Wade 
Clifford Weatherhold 
Joubert Webb 
Noble White 
Audic V. Willborn 

Cooks 

Otto H. Broker 
Swan Hcdlund 
Shirley W. Reynolds 

Mechanics 

tjohn G. Burr 
John Dietz 
Okla DePriest 
Sydney Morgan 
John Mopps 
Louis Scherer 
t Joseph T. Vrating 



474 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Wagoners 

Everett Davidson 
Walter Goff 
Herbert E. Gray 
Arthur Magrini 
t Vigo Olson 
George A. Trover 

Bugler 

Fred M. Cornell 

Privates, First Class 

George E. Anderson 
George H. Anna 
Hobert Brooks 
William C. Brose 
Peter Brunsman 
John Buckells 
Peter B. Budnik 
Roscoe D. Bunch 
George Butler 
William L. Capen 
Frank Carlson 
John A. Carlson 
Axel Christianson 
Elvin W. Clammer 
Rudolph L. Coad 
John H. Craig 
Louis Czech 
Frank M. Davis 
Emil Evanod 
John Feltes 
Frederick Goodhouse 
John J. Hallas 
John C. Havalowski 
Rudolph J. Helm 
Owen L. Hughes 
Truman E. Isley 
Waldo Isome 
Robert N. Jackson 
Peter Jensen 
Gustave A. Johnson 
Lloyd H. Johnson 
Elton D. Kines 
Leo C. Knaak 
Floyd Knapp 
Arthur J. Langlois 
William LeMay 
Alvin B. Lins 
Cecil C. Long 
John H. Lorch 
Harold J. McLaughlin 
Earl Markle 
Robert W. Meyer 
Ora Mills 
Elmer E. Mitchell 
William Monroe 
Ora Mullen 
Sairgie Nowak 
Floyd Palmer 
Arthur Pederson 



Harold C. Raymond 
Hiram S. Rhoads 
Angelo Romano 
Stanley Sackowich 
William L. Sanders 
William J. Schluetter 
William Seward 
Elmer W. Shy 
Edward Smith 
Lawrence Smith 
Fred A. Steffregan 
Louis L. Thomas 
Gay Thompson 
Leonnard Wakefield 
Wiliam H. Weber 
Clem J. Wideman 

Privates 

Eugene E. Alexander 
Logan Atkinson 
Blain Amburgey 
George H. Anna 
Roy Bauer 
John C. Bestman 
Carl L. Brightwell 
Aaron M. Caplan 
Harold Chirhart 
Arnold F. Dalms 
Fred Danlke 
Louis F. Davis 
Oscar L. Davis 
Ora Genterman 
Phillip C. Gingrass 
Otto E. Grand 
Robert C. Hemminger 
Ernest C. Hibbs 
Oscar Hile 
Gim Hodzer 
Eddie T. Jirsa 
Edward Johnson 
Fred L. Johnson 
William J. Ranges 
Earl L. Kelly 
Ray T. Kelmkamp 
Henry Klindt 
Paul Kraft 
Paul J. Kroft 
Max Litvinchuk 
Edward D. Lloyd 
Ekkett A. Louis 
John Makris 
Chester Manuel 
Edward Marsik 
William F. Modglin 
Charles Moskato 
David C. Morray 
Chester Musselman 
Leo R. O'Hara 
James O'Sullivan 
Charles S. Perry 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



475 




CAPTAINS OF THE 130TH INFANTRY 
Top row: Fred Beard, Samuel J. Bradfield, Edward H. Brian, Grover C. Bullington. 
Second row: Berry VV. Cooper, Vance Courtright, Merlin L. Dappert. 
Third row: Robert W. Davis, F. G. W. Easterday, James A. Eaton, Lafayette French, Jr. 
Bottom row: John B. Hazel, E. Wayne Hight, Fred W. Hoffman, Oscar G. Holm. 



476 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




CAPTAINS OF THE 130TH INFANTRY 
Top row: Earl Hunter, Seba Hutson, Harrison M. Hutchengs, Carl F. Lauer. 
Second row: Melvin B. McGuigan, George W. Mills, Grady O'Hair. 
Third row: Harmon L. Ruff, Jesse W. Scott, John M. Sliers, Harry S. Streeter. 
Bottom row: Lawrence E. Thorne, Sam Toler, Louis M. Tomlinson, VVilliam G. Utterback. 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



477 



Edward Putman 
William Rayman 
Andrew Richardson 
Susa Risser 
John Sears 
Gerald Schultz 
Alfred J. Schurmann 
George M. Shellhammer 
Clyde V. Snider 
Philip Steffens 
Clair Stockin 



Leonard Taylor 
William F. Thornton 
Kamiel Van Hecke 
Thomas Voorney 
Erwin Webb 
Benedict N. West 
Walter Whalen 
Raymond H. Willison 
Harry A. Yates 
Anton Yowise 
Phil'ip J. Ziemann 



OFFICERS OF 130TH INFANTRY WHO SERVED OVERSEAS 



Colonel 

John V. Clinnin 

Lieutenant Colonels 
Edward Bittel 
John J. Bullington 
Edward J. Lang 
James Lindsay-Oliver 
Oliver J. Troster 

Majors 

Frank P. Auld, M. C. 
Harry M. Brown 
Joseph E. Brady 
James J. Dineen 
Albert H. Gravenhorst 
Ray H. Humphrey, M. C. 
Elmer G. Lindroth 
Jabish H. Woodward, Jr. 

Captains 

Fred Beard 
Samuel J. Bradfield 
Edward H. Brian 
Grover C. Bullington, M. C. 
John H. Coady (later Major, 131st In- 
fantry) 
Berry W. Cooper 
Vance Courtright 
Merlin L. Dappert 
Robert W. Davis 
Fred G. W. Easterday 
Lafayette French, Jr. 
Fred G. Givens 
John B. Hazel, M. C. 
E. Wayne Hight 
Fred W. Hoffman, D. C. 
Oscar G. Holm 
Earl Hunter 
Harrison M. Hutchengs 
Seba Hutson 

George F. Johnson, D. C. 
Carl F. Lauer, Chaplain 
Melvin B. McGuigan 
George W. Mills, D. C. 
Grady O'Hair 



Albert C. Reynolds 

Harmon L. Ruff 

Jesse W. Scott 

John M. Stiers, M. C. 

Harry S. Streeter 

Lawrence E. Thorne 

Sam Toler 

Louis M. Tomlinson, M. C 

William G. Utterback 

John Woodward 

Louis N. Yerkes, M. C. 

First Lieutenants 

Claude W. Austin 
Marion Anderson 
Loren C. Batson 
Herman J. Bosse 
Howard Bridges 
Clyde Brown 
Stanley B. Brown 
George Cassady 
Loren C. Clayton 
Elvin M. Colbert 
Rex H. Cook 
John A. Dahl, M. C. 
Clyde M. Deardorff 
Charles L. Davis 
Harry Downs 
Michael B. Driscoll 
Walter B. Edmonson 
Thomas W. Farwell 
James A. Fishburne 
Joe E. Harris 
Herbert H. Harris 
Paul W. Howard 
Edward J. Kane 
Silas N. Lennox 
Roscoe C. Long 
John E. Martin 
Paul J. McCullough 
Ted McCullough 
Thomas F. McDonough 
Carl McKinney 
J. Glen Miller 
Don Morris 
Harrv C. Mussman 



478 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE 130TH INFANTRY 
Left to right, top row: Loren C. Batson, Clyde Brown, Stanley B. Brown, Elvin M. Colbert. 
Second row: Rex H. Cook, John A. Dahl, Clyde M. Deardorff, Harry Downs. 
Third row: Thomas Farwell, Joe E. Harris. Paul W. Howard. Edward J. Kane. 
Fourth row: Silas Lennox, Roscoe C. Long, Paul J. McCullough, Thomas F. McDonough. 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



479 




FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE 130TH INFANTRY 
Left to mht. top row: Oliver C. Brown. George Cassady, Harland Kilborn Ted McCullough. 
Second rSw- Harry C. Mussman, Carl McKinney. John Eden Martin Earl V. Nelson. 
Third row J. Glen Miller, Don Morris, Walter P. Shoaff. Harry M Starnes^ 
Fourth row- Donald W. Stevenson. George R. Wiley. Hamilton L. Wood, Wm. H. Ziemer. 



48o 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




LIEUTENANTS OF THE 130TH INFANTRY 
Top row: First Lieutenants Marion Anderson, Howard Bridges, J. A. Fishburne, H. H. Harris. 
Second row: First Lieutenants Frank. W. Rawalt, Emmett F. Wright, Fred W. Zimmerman, 
Second Lieutenant Marvel L. Baker. 

Third row: Second Lieutenants B. A. Boykin, Donald Heffron. H. J. Heinz, F. R. Johnson. 
Bottom row: Second Lieutenants E. A. McNally, C. S. Miller, H, A. Mills, J. A. Murphy. 



THE 130TH INFANTRY 



481 



Earl V. Nelson 
Glenn C. Oppy 
Frank W. Rawalt 
Charles Reimer 
Walter P. Shoaff 
Harry M. Starnes 
Donald W. Stevenson 
George R. Wiley 
Hamilton L. Wood 
Emmet t F. Wright 
William H. Ziemer 
Fred W. Zimmerman 

Second Lieutenants 
Marvel L. Baker 
John D. Bancroft 
Dan F. Boggs 
Bernard A. Boykin 
George A. Burke (deceased) 
Walter S. Cappels 
Frank Carr 
Thomas F. Carroll 
Arthur E. Daggett 
John V. Dappert 
Robert J. Davis 



Halbert Dwight 

Peter Edson 

Ira M. Field 

Leland S. Foster 

Ewing A. Gabryel 

Einer Giaver 

Atticous B. Hatsell 

Donald Heffron 

Hubert J. Heinz 

Frank R. Johnson 

Clyde M. Keith 

Raymond O. McKamey 

Richard L. McMunn 

Edward A. McNally 

Floyd F. Mann 

Fred J. Maloney 

Clarence S. Miller 

Huestis A. Mills 

Roswell C. Mower 

James A. Murphy 

Daniel B. O'Brien 

Walter R. O'Neal 

Edward A. Palmer 

Howard C. Sawyer (deceased) 

Jairus G. Sheldon 




SECOND LIEUTENANTS OF THE 130TH INFANTRY 
Upper row: Frank Carr, Roswell C. Mower, Walter R. O'Neal, Howard C. Sawyer. 
Lower row: Ennis Stillwell, George F. Stretch, Thomas J. Sughrua, Slater H. Vallintine. 



482 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



William J. Sigler 
Charles F. Snerly 
Ennis Stillwell (deceased) 
George F. Stretch 



Thomas J. Sughrua 

Charles Tvviss 

Skater H. Vallintine (deceased) 



OFFICERS WHO WERE WITH REGIMENT BEFORE IT WENT OVERSEAS 



Colonels 

John J. Garrity 
Fine W. Smith 
Frank S. Wood 

Lieutenant Colonel 
Elijah P. Clayton 

Majors 

George A. Clotfelter 
Philip N. Girard 
William Klauser 
Arthur W. Smith 

Captains 

John Burr 
Sydney N. Cohen 



James A. Eaton 
Ralph Fritz 
Stephen J. Reed, M. 

First Lieutenants 

Charles E. Brown 
Oliver C. Brown 
Henry T. Johnson 
Harland Kilborn 

Second Lieutenants 
Cleta Henderson 
Ray Lester 
James Sewell 



C. (deceased) 




A CAMOUFLAGED ROAD IN BR.\S 




•«-«(• "*»"- ."*•** I^^r?^^ ^•'i I 



AT THE EDGE 0^ THE BOIS DE FORET, LOOKING EAST TOWARD THE MEUSE 

The 123rd Machine Gun Battalion 

Major Albert L. Culbertson, Editor 

"HE men who saw service in France as mem- 
bers of the 123rd Machine Gun BattaUon 
ralUed for the World War under the colors 
of the old Fifth Illinois Infantry, one of the 
downstate national guard regiments. They 
were called out on March 25, 191 7, for g^^rd 
duty, and served as infantrymen for seven 

months. 

Then, in October, the Thirty-third Di- 
vision was organized at Camp Logan, with 
Illinois National Guard units as its constitu- 
ents. The Fifth was broken up to provide men 
for several auxiliary organizations, among 

them the 123rd Machine Gun Battalion. 

The machine gun company of Quincy, under Captain James P. Beatty 
became Company A. Company F, also from Qumcy and commanded by 
CantX Ernest L. Wingerter, became Company B of the new organization, 
whne Company G of Peoria, under Captain Jeremiah McQuade, became 
Company C. Major William E. Culbertson was given command of the bat 
talion, which was assigned to the Sixty-fifth Infantry brigade. 

Maior Albert L. Culbertson succeeded to the command m January 1918, 
^nd sooTafterward a fourth company was added to the battalion, under or- 
ders Tncrean' the size of such units. The company selected was Company 
WDanvll of t^^^ Fifth, until then a part of the x2 2nd Machine Gun 
Lnalion It became Company D of the 123rd with Captam Albert C. Rey- 

^^^'^ZS'trained at Camp Logan with the rest ofthedi^ujn i^^ 
May I, 1918, when it entrained for Camp Upton. It sailed a fortnight later 

483 




484 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




MAJOR ALBERT L. CULBERTSON 

Commander of the i2,srd Machine Gun Battal- 
ion during active operations. 



from Hoboken on the transport Aga- 
memnon. 

The voyage was without inci- 
dent. The battahon landed at Brest 
on May 24, and remained in bivouac 
near Camp Pontanezen for five days. 
Then it moved by train to Oisemont, 
in the British Somme sector^ and by 
foot to Bouillancourt-en-Sery, where 
the men were assigned to billets and 
began a final course of training. On 
June 9 the battalion was transferred 
to Cuverville. There the American 
machine gun equipment was ex- 
changed for British outfits, including 
animals, wheel transportation and 
the Vickers .303 machine gun. 

After nearly two weeks of prac- 
tice with the new equipment the bat- 
talion left Cuverville, and marched 
to Eaucourt, where it arrived on the 
afternoon of June 21. Intensive 
training, with especial emphasis on 
range work, was carried on until July 14, when the unit was ordered to the 
Australian Corps sector. Two days of marching carried the battalion to the 
Bois de Querrieu, where it passed to the tactical control of the Australian 
Corps, of the Fourth British Army. Companies A and B went into the line 
with the Third Australian Division in the vicinity of Corbie, Hamel and 
Mericourt, Company C with the Fourth Australian Division near Hangard 
and Cachy, and Company D with the Second Australian Division in and about 
Villers-Bretonneux. Thus engaged, under the tutelage of the Australians 
and in actual contact with the German forces, the battalion received valuable 
experience which had a great deal to do with its subsequent efficiency as a 
combat unit. 

On August 6 the whole Sixty-fifth Brigade was withdrawn from the Aus- 
tralian Corps sector and placed under the control of the Third British Corps. 
The 123rd Machine Gun Battalion marched to Daily Mail Woods, where it 
remained in bivouac until midnight on August 8. At that hour orders were 
received sending the battalion into the line with the Eighteenth British Di- 
vision in the vicinity of Mericourt and Sailly-le-Sec, where a British drive 
was on, and in half an hour the men were on their way to Round Woods, 
ready for action. 

But orders were changed. The Eighteenth British Division, with the 
123rd Battalion attached, was sent to relieve the Forty-seventh Division in 
the Albert sector. The 123rd spent the night of August 10 in the Bois de 



THE 123RD MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



485 



Robert and then relieved the 124th Machine Gun BattaHon, which was at 
that time attached to the Forty-seventh Division, 

Companies A and B occupied positions near Henencourt, while Com- 
panies C and D held positions covering the territory between Buire-sur-I'Ancre 
and the Albert-Amiens road and looking directly into Albert, then held by the 
German forces. Battalion headquarters were established near Baizieux. 

The battalion occupied these positions until the night of August 20-21, 
when its service with the British and Australians was terminated. It was 
relieved by the Eighteenth Battalion of the British ]\Iachine Gun Corps and 
proceeded to ]\Iolhens-au-Bois. 

The service with the British forces had been interesting and instructive, 
attended as it was by active campaign experience with the best British soldiers 
and the wonderful fighting men from Australia. Considering the extent of 
the battalion's battle service during this period the casualties had been very 
light. No men had been killed and only twelve of all ranks had been 
wounded. Among the wounded, however, were Captain Albert C. Reynolds 
and First Lieutenant Robert F. Wilbur, both of Company D, efficient officers 
whose loss the battalion felt. 

Two important changes in personnel occurred during the service with the 
British. Captain Bennett W. Bartlett succeeded Captain Beatty in command 
of Company A and Captain Kenneth A. Elmore became commander of Com- 
pany B when Captain Wingerter was transferred to the Thirty-seventh 
Division. 

At Molliens-au-Bois the battalion turned in all British equipment, and 
on the night of August 24-25 the journey to the American area began. The 
first stage was covered on foot, to Longeau and St. Roche, near Amiens, 
There the battalion entrained in two sections for Ligny. Another march and 
the men reached Nancois-le-Grand and went into billets. On August 29 the 




THE TOWN OF BLERCOURT 



486 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



battalion moved to Velaines, where the American 
Vickers machine gun equipment was issued. 

Five days were spent at Velaines. Then the 
entire Sixty-fifth Brigade was moved in French 
motor busses to the vicinity of Blercourt, whence 
the machine gunners marched to Jouy-en-Ar- 
gonne. 

On the night of September 8-9 the Sixty-fifth 
Brigade took over the famous Hill 304 sector 
northwest of Verdun, relieving French soldiers. 
Companies A and B of the 123rd went into the 
line on the hill with the 129th Infantry, Com- 
pany C was stationed at Ancereville Farm, and 
Company D was held in reserve at Bethelain- 
ville, where brigade and battalion headquarters 
had been established. 

The several companies remained in these 
positions until the night of September 21, when 
Companies C and D were moved to the Bois de 
Sartelles. Two days later they moved again to the Bois de Ville, and from 
there they marched to Beaumont Farm to become part of the divisional re- 
serve in the attack of September 26. 

When the attack was launched Companies A and B remained in the Hne 
with the 129th Infantry until the attacking troops of the Fourth and Eightieth 
Divisions had passed through. Then they proceeded to the southern slope of 
Hill 281, south of Gercourt, and took up new positions. 

Companies C and D had advanced meanwhile with the 130th Infantry, 
following the forward drive of the attacking waves. The afternoon of Sep- 




ON DEAD MAN'S HILL 
The entrance to the famous Bis- 
marck Tunnel, which ran through 
the hill. The tunnel was about 
seven feet high and wide enough 
for four men abreast. 




A SHELL HOLE ON DEAD MAN'S HILL 



THE 123RD MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



487 




GERMAN OBSERVATION POST IN CERVAUX TRENCH 



tember 27 found them 
too on Hill 281, with the 
other companies of the 
battalion and the several 
units of the Sixty-fifth 
Brigade. 

The next evening 
the entire brigade, with 
Companies A and B at- 
tached to the 129th and 
Companies C and 1) 
moving with the 130th, 
went to the Bois d'en 
Dela and bivouacked in 
preparation for relieving 
the Eightieth Division. 

The relief was accomplished on the morning of September 29. Com- 
pany B went into position with the 129th Infantry in the Bois de Dannevoux, 
Company C occupied positions in the Bois de la Cote Lemont with the 130th 
Infantry, and Companies A and D remained in the Bois d'en Dela and the 
Bois de Septsarges as brigade reserves. 

The positions in the Bois de Dannevoux and the Bois de la Cote Lemont 
constituted a salient thrust into the enemy lines. They were subjected to an 
extremely heavy artillery fire, and the woods were constantly drenched with 
gas, for the enemy was making desperate efforts to hold up the American 
advance and recover, if possible, some of the ground he had lost. 

Despite the violence of the Germans' attempts to regain the positions 
the salient was held. The machine gunners and the infantrymen with them 
made the positions secure and held them until the brigade was relieved nearly 
three v\^eeks later. 

Companies A and D, although in reserve, did not remain idle long. On 




GERMAN STRONG-POINT ON HILL 281 



488 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




MAJOR GENERAL JOHN L. HINES 
Commander of the Fourth Division. 



the night of October 3 the battahon was 
ordered to put the two reserve companies 
and any other machine guns that might 
be available in position to neutralize en- 
emy opposition, break up counterattacks 
between the Bois de Brieulles, the Bois de 
Foret, and Brieulles-sur-Meuse, protect 
the left flank of the Thirty-third Division, 
and assist the Fourth Division on the left 
in an attack to be made at daybreak. 

Positions were selected in the north- 
west edge of the Bois de la Cote Lemont 
and on Hill 280, and assigned to Com- 
pany D. Captain George W. Bushong 
and the gunners of the company moved 
forward in the face of extraordinarily se- 
vere artillery fire and established them- 
selves in the posts selected. Company A 
was held in readiness for any emergency. 
At 5.25 a. m., the hour set for the 
attack by the Fourth Division, the guns 
of Company D, together with those of 
Company C and the machine gun com- 
pany of the 130th Infantry, opened up on the enemy positions. The Germans 
retaliated with heavy artillery and machine gun lire, aided by aerial bom- 
bardments, but the machine gunners maintained their fire until 11 o'clock, 
Vv^hen firing on both sides died away. At 8:30 a. m. Companies A and D of the 
124th Machine Gun Bat- 
talion reported to INIajor 
Culbertson, and were as- 
signed to positions in the 
vicinity of Hill 280. 
Thus augmented, the 
machine gun force kept 
up heavy, harassing fire 
on the enemy positions 
in and about Brieulles- 
sur-Meuse, north and 
northwest of Brieulles. 
and on the Tranchee de 
Teton during October 4. 
5, 6, and 7. The Ger- 
mans kept up an equally 
severe fire. ^ Ij^ NO MAN'S LAND 

By the morning of An American observer one-half kilometer from Brieulles. 




THE 123RD MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



489 



October 7 the gunners of the 123rd had expended more than 750,000 rounds 
of ammunition, a fact which may indicate the fierceness with which they 
fought. The desired results had been won, and the two companies of the 
124th Battahon were ordered back to their own command in Forges Wood. 
The men of the 123rd remained in position until October 10, when Companies 
A and D were directed to report to the commanding general of the Sixty-sixth 
Brigade near Consenvoye, on the east bank of the Meuse River. 

The position held by the battalion having improved, Company B took 
over that part of the Bois de Dannevoux which had been held by the machine 
gun company of the 129th Infantry, and one platoon of Company C was with- 




IN THE BOIS DE FORET 



drawn to the main line of resistance, whither it was followed on the follow- 
ing night by the rest of the company. 

On the night of October 13-14 battalion headquarters and Company C 
proceeded to the east bank of the Meuse, near Consenvoye, where Companies 
A and D had gone. Two nights later Company B was relieved by the com- 
pany of the 124th Machine Gun Battalion and followed. 

Meanwhile, Companies A and D, after they had crossed the Meuse on 
the night of October 10 and reported to the commanding general of the Sixty- 
sixth Brigade, were sent to assist the infantry in the fighting then in progress 
in the Bois de Chaume and the Bois du Plat Chene. Upon the relief of the 
Sixty-sixth Brigade by the Sixty-fifth these companies were in line with ele- 
ments of the 129th and 130th Infantry Regiments, which had preceded the 



490 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



rest of the brigade to the east side of the Meuse and were busily engaged in 
driving back the enemy and in holding the ground already gained. 

Company A was relieved by the machine gun company of the 130th 
Infantry on the night of October 18-19, and went into reserve just south of 
Consenvoye. Two nights later the entire brigade was relieved by the Fif- 
teenth Colonial French Infantry Division, but Company D held its position 
twenty-four hours longer. 

The whole brigade marched first to the Bois de Lolime and the Bois de 
Bourrus. Then battalion headquarters, with Companies B and C, went to 
Sommedieu with the 129th Infantry, while Company A moved to Rupt-en- 
Woevre with the 130th, to be joined a day later by Company D. 

Thus ended the part of the 123rd Machine Gun Battalion in the Meuse- 
Argonne campaign. It had been a period of strenuous service. The gunners 
had been under constant fire, and the woods in which they lived and fought 
had been drenched with gas of every conceivable variety. In addition to such 
difficulties, enemy planes had bombed the men of the battalion and sprayed 
them with machine gun bullets. 

Under those adverse conditions, with insufficient rest, the men had main- 
tained their positions at all times, had driven back and harassed the enemy, 
and had remained courageous, cheerful and alive to every opportunity. It 
had been a magnificent achievement. When the battalion entered the line for 
the engagement it had just finished a three-weeks tour of duty in the front 
line. Fatigued by that tour, it was called on to remain in action for nearly 
a month, under such a strain as men seldom are forced to undergo — a strain 
that would break any but the strongest and fittest. That the battalion did all 







m 






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Ww 




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IB:lvJ 








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HMUW J,'^V«^r.'k.^fliW*KlP ^^i^HI^^^^^^^^^B 


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-'V ;J^ 





A SCENE IN THE TOWN OF BRIEULLES 



THE 123RD MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



491 








A GERMAN UBbLRXAiiU.N PuM IN THE BOIS DE CHALME 

it was asked to do and emerged unbroken is a record of which any miHtary 
organization might feel proud. 

The battahon during its part of the Meuse-Argonne campaign lost four- 
teen killed and ninety-seven wounded, seven of whom afterward died. Many 
other men were so worn out physically that they had to be evacuated. 

On the nights of October 24 and 25 the battalion relieved the 311th Ma- 
chine Gun Battalion of the Seventy-ninth Division in the sub-sector Connecti- 
cut of the Troyon sector, a part of the old St. Mihiel salient. Companies B 
and C took up positions 
in the main line of re- 
sistance, while Com- 
panies A and D occu- 
pied positions in reserve. 

The occupation of 
this sector was without 
remarkable incident un- 
til November 7, when 
Company D assisted ele- 
ments of the 130th In- 
fantry in carrying out a 
raid on the German po- 
sitions at the Chateau 
and Ferme d'Aulnois. By 
putting down a box bar- GERMAN DUGOUTS 

rage, which cut off the North of the Bois du Plat Chene. 




492 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



enemy's retreat and prevented reenforcements from reaching him and by keep- 
ing down his fire, the gunners contributed greatly to the success of the raid. 
Their work is more notable for the fact that they did it without the loss of a 
man. The achievement reflected great credit on First Lieutenant Ivan K. 
Foster, who commanded the company. 

On the morning of November lo Companies C and D assisted the 130th 
Infantry in an attack on a stronghold at IMarcheville. As in the raid on the 
Chateau d'Aulnois, a barrage was put down to isolate the enemy, while fire 
was directed against neighboring .strong-points to keep down the Germans' 
fire and mystify them as to the real point of attack. The work of the gun- 
ners was efficient and did much to make the operation successful. 










^-r - . . 




RUINED HOMES IN MARCHEVILLE 

The same companies assisted the 130th Infantry in an attack launched 
by the brigade on the morning of November 11, the day the Germans gave 
up the fight. Companies A and B, accompanying the 129th Infantry, also 
took part in this last operation. The assault was meeting with success, the 
German lines having been pierced at Riaville, Pintheville, Marcheville and 
other points, when news of the signing of the armistice put a sudden stop to 
the fighting. 

The several companies were ordered to return to the positions from 
which the attack had been launched. There they remained for several days, 
until the battalion was assembled in Genicourt to prepare for the march into 
the zone of occupation. 

Every known variety of weather, with an abundance of the bad varieties, 
marked the journey to the Rhine. The march ended, after twelve days of 
hiking, in the grand duchy of Luxemburg, where the battalion established 



THE 123RD MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



493 




SEDAN, ONE OF THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVES OF THE AMERICANS IN FRANCE 

itself for the winter. Headquarters and Companies A and B were quartered 
at Erpeldange. Companies C and D found billets at Burden and Ingledorff 
respectively. There they remained until April 26, when the homeward jour- 
ney began. 

The battalion sailed from Brest on the Siboney on May 11, Nine days 
later the transport reached Hoboken. After a few days at Camp Mills the 
unit moved to Chicago to take part in a welcome celebration there, and then 
went to Camp Grant to be mustered out. By May 30 the officers and men 
had been discharged, and the record of the 123rd Machine Gun Battalion had 
been closed. 




U. S. S. SIBONEY, WHICH CARRIED THE 123RD HOME 



494 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



MEN OF THE 123RD MACHINE GUN BATTALION WHO WERE KILLED IN ACTION, 
DIED OF WOUNDS OR DIED OF DISEASE OVERSEAS 



Sergeant 

Robert H. Vogt 

Corporals 

Godfrey Bishoff 
Glen Fultz 
Wilbur Greening 

Privates, First Class 
Ben Burda 
Frank E. Carey 
Cecil M. Cunningham 
Edward J. Geary 
Herman C. Klopp 
Frank M. Sberrill 
Barney M. Warden 



Privates 

Fred Boyle 
Alfred P. Chappell 
Arthur H. Erickson 
John H. Erlandson 
Allen M. Franklin 
John F. Gallagher 
Gust Gilbertson 
John Goodwin 
Samuel E. Halpert 
William G. Hinkins 
Joseph E. Moore 
Dore Mulv^anej' 
Philip Sandler 
William M. Simpson 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE i2^rd MACHINE GUN BATTALION WHO WERE CITED 
FOR GALLANTRY BY GENERAL BELL 



Major 

Albert L. Culbert=on 

First Lieutenants 

Francis D. Ballentine 
George F. Cunnane 
Ivan K. Foster 
Roy G. Messner 
Lawrence D; Smith 

Second Lieutenants 
Donald G. Best 
John E. Huguelet 
Arthur A. Reese 

First Sergeant 

Jewel C. Chambers 
Hugh F. Dahner 
Lawrence A. Perkins 

Sergeants 

Wm. A. Baldwin 
Elmer Benson 
Paul E. Briggs 
Lenuel S. Brubaker 
Harry E. Camfield 
Roy R. Comrie 
Gilbert Cooper 
Leslie Cunningham 
Herschel H. Dodd 
James W. Dorsey 
Herman S. Fisher 
Ebeb J. Green 
Frank P. Grotty 
Richard H. Gurley 
Robert J. Hartley 



Kirby L. Hill 
Samuel E. Israel 
Henry E. Kemma 
Albert O. Merkel 
Walter Mullmeyer 
Henry Paul 
Russel Shaver 
Lafayette F. Snapp 
Russell D. Stap'es 
Frederick T. Thompson 
Arthur Wright 
Donald M. Wright 

Corporals 

Seth L. Barber 
Emery W. Ewing 
George J. Garrigus 
Delbert S. Halverson 
John O. Haug 
Herman F. Jessen 
Eugene Lewin 
Leo E. Mack 
Ernest Nelson 
Wm. B. Smith 
Arlie T. Williams 

Wagoners 

Albert D. Clinton 
Everett Hall 
Floyd H. Hall 
Frank Schach 
Lewis S. Suffern 
Porter Williams 

Bugler 

Harry M. Salyer 



THE 123RD MACHINE GUN BATTALION 495 




OFFICERS OF THE 123RD MACHINE GUN BATTALION 
Top row: Captains B. W. Bartlett, James P. Beatty, P. R. Blodgett, G. W. Bushong. 
Second row: Captains Kenneth Elmore, Jeremiah McQuade, A. C. Reynolds, E. L. Wingerter. 
Third row: First Lieutenants Francis Ballentine, G. F. Cunnane, George F. Flood, Carl Grimmer. 
Bottom row: First Lieutenants Harry Meador, Roy G. Messner, Arthur Shumate, L. D. Smith. 



496 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Privates First Class 
John R. Allen 
Barney J. Andrews 
Isaac N. Biggs 
John Borcia 
Charles C. Clotfelter 
Dempster Davis 
Wm. D. Grimes 
Claude C. Haefele 
Wm. H. Hasberger 
John G. Heilig 
Luston E. Hough 
Wallace D. Johnson 
John J. Maden 
Ernest A. Muenchow 
Paul Pittges 
Julius W. Popp 
Frank B. Schauer 
Charles R. Smith 
Oscar B. Sobel 
James L. Thiele 



Glenn Vaughn 
Edward D. Vertrees 
Waldo S. Walker 
James Walsh 
Elmer Wendell 
Joseph K. Whitmorel 

Privates 

Rene Delaere 
Michael J. Deis 
Lloyd Hubler 
Rage L. Johnson 
Charles J. Jorack 
Wm. J. Joyce 
James C. Kizer 
Harold Masur 
Raymond M. Murray 
John A. Navadunski 
Fred Rosenbom 
August T. Runowski 
.- Stanley Shields 



CERTIFICATE FOR ESPECIALLY MERITORIOUS AND CONSPICUOUS SERVICE WAS 
AWARDED BY GENERAL PERSHING TO THE FOLLOWING OFFICER 

Major 

Albert L. Culbertson 



ROSTER OF OFFICERS 123RD MACHINE GUN BATTALION 



Major 

Albert L. 



Culbertson 



Captai7is 

Bennett W. Bartlett 

James P. Bcatty 

Pliny R. Blodgett, M. C. 

George W. Bushong 

Kenneth A. Elmore 

Jeremiah McQuade (later Major) 

Fritz Pierson, D. C. 

Albert C. Reynolds 

Ernest L. Wingerter 

First Lieutenants 

Francis D. Ballentine 

Edward C. Castle 

George F. Cunnane 

Fred Dierstein 

Joseph K. S. Ehart (later Captain 108th 

T. H. and M. P.) 
George F. Flood 

Ivan K. Foster (later Captain 129th In- 
fantry) 
Carl Grimmer 
Frederick J. Jones 
Harry E. Meador 



Roy G. Messner 

William C. Peake 

Arthur Shumate 

Lawrence D. Smith (later Captain 108th 

T. H. and M. P.) 
Henry H. Spillyards 
Robert F. Wilbur 

Second Lieutenants 
Donald G. Best 
Lloyd L. Bucher 
Horace W. Day 
George S. Hawthorne 
Lynn Houghtaling 
John E. Huguelet 
James E. Johnston 
Edwin W. Lesley 
William J. Linn 
Alvin W. Michel 
John H. Pott, Jr. 
Victor H. Ray 
Arthur A. Reese 
Leo P. Sanregret 
Harold S. Silvernale 
Ray B. Sinnock 
Paul K. Thomas 
Roger H. Wells 



THE 123RD ]\IACHINE GUN BATTALION 407 




SECOND LIEUTENANTS OF THE 123RD MACHINE GUN BATTALION 
Top row: Henry H. Spillyards (first lieutenant), Donald G. Best, Lloyd L. Bucher, Horace W.Day. 
Second row: George S. Hawthorne, Lynn Houghtaling, John E. Huguelet, E. W. Lesley. 
Third row: A. W. Michel, V. H. Ray, Arthur A. Reese, Leo P. Sanregret. 
Bottom row: H. S. Silvernale, Ray B. Sinnock, Paul K. Thomas, Roger H. Wells. 



498 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




BRIGADIER GENERAL HENRY D. TODD, JR. 

Commanding the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade. 




THE BALDNESS OF MONT SEC 



The Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade 

By Brigadier General Henry D. Todd, Jr., Commanding, 

AND 

Lieutenant Colonel George Roth, Chief of Staff and Adjutant 

iHE Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade, 
Thirty-third Division, was organized at 
Camp Logan during the months of September 
and October, 191 7. 

The brigade consisted of two regi- 
ments of light artillery, one regiment of 
heavy artillery, an ammunition train, a 
trench mortar battery and an ordnance re- 
pair shop. These units were formed from 
Illinois National Guard organizations as fol- 
lows: 

The 122nd Field Artillery (light) from 
the First Illinois Cavalry, Colonel Milton 
J. Foreman commanding; the 123rd Field 
Artillery (heavy) from the Sixth Illinois In- 
fantry, Colonel Charles G. Davis command- 
ing; the 124th Field Artillery (light) built 
around three troops of the First Illinois 
Cavalry, Colonel Horatio B. Hackett commanding; the io8th Ammunition 
Train, from units of the Seventh Illinois Infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Wal- 
ter J. Fisher commanding; the io8th Trench Mortar Battery (6-inch Stokes 
guns) from the machine gun company of the Sixth Illinois Infantry, Cap- 
tain Charles J. Kraft commanding; and the io8th Ordnance Repair Shop, 
a new organization, Captain George H. Lawrence commanding. 

499 




500 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




GENERAL TODD AND COLONEL FOREMAN 



The training process which the 
brigade underwent was long and se- 
vere. Much of the equipment was 
late in arriving, and many of the of- 
ficers, trained for other arms of the 
service, found it difficult and some- 
times impossible to acquire the need- 
ed technical knowledge. All ranks 
displayed excellent spirit and energy, 
however, and the assistance of sev- 
eral regular army artillery officers 
and one French artillery officer ena- 
bled the brigade and regimental com- 
manders to make progress which the 
War Department found satisfactory. 
Seven months of intensive train- 
ing put the Thirty-third Division in 
such splendid condition that it was judged fit and ready for European 
service. Sailing orders were issued in May. The artillery brigade pro- 
ceeded to Hoboken, N. J., sailing from that port during the latter part of 
the month. 

The crossing was accomplished without incident. The brigade de- 
barked at Liverpool, crossed England and reached Havre, France, on June 
II and 12. A week later most of the units had established themselves in 
the Ornans-Valdahon training area, near the Swiss border, for final inten- 
sive instruction in combat methods. 

Before this training could be undertaken, however, it was necessary for 
the brigade to obtain equipment. Guns, horses, harness, trucks and all 
other supplies had been 
left in the United States 
and had to be replaced. 

The task was a dif- 
ficult one, falling entire- 
ly on the headquarters 
staff. The staff displayed 
such untiring energy, 
however, that in a short 
time the brigade had 
been completely equipped 
for field service, except 
for a shortage of trucks 
in the ammunition train. 
Then came a grind 

r , . . T? X A FRIENDLY CONFERENCE AT CAMP LOGAN 

of trammg. For two „ , t^ ^^ r- i at i n ^ ^ n n ^u A 

" General Todd, General Navlor, Colonel C. C. Allen and 

months officers and men General Bell 




THE 5 8th field ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



501 




THE HARBOR OF HAVRE AS SEEN FROaI A.\ AIRPLANE 
Where the brigade first touched French soil. 

were put through an intensive course of instruction under the direction of 
officers from the front. It was not until the middle of August that the high 
command deemed the brigade fitted, in skill and discipline, to meet the enemy. 
The fact that this extra training was necessary after seven months of drill 
at home constitutes a striking argument against the policy of waiting for the 
declaration of war before organizing and preparing an army. 

Between the formal training of the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade 
at Valdahon and its first real battle, the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient, 
a period of three weeks was spent in learning the real business of war, in the 
first sector held by American troops — a sector northwest of Toul and extend- 
ing from Beaumont to Bouconville. The non-motorized organizations en- 
trained at Valdahon and Besaneon, August 21 and 22 and detrained at Foug 
and Pagny-sur-Meuse, August 24 and 25. The motorized organizations trav- 
eled overland to the same towns. The entire brigade then marched into the 
Foret de la Reine, where it was to remain hidden until the big attack of 
September 12. The brigade post of command was established in Boucq. In 
this sector the brigade became accustomed to gas attacks and to the hard- 
ships of traffic jams on the roads during the night, when all the motor as well 
as the horse-drawn vehicles traveled without showing lights and without sound- 
ing klaxons. The men learned also how to work in daytime so that Ger- 



502 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




man aerial observers 
could find nothing worth 
reporting to the German 
information service and 
no targets for German 
machine gun fire. 

On August 26, sup- 
porting the Eighty-ninth 
Division, in the Fourth 
American Army Corps, 
the first battalion of the 
122nd Field Artillery, 
Major Frank R. Schwen- 
gel commanding, took 
over the defense of the 
sector from a battalion 
of the 321st Field Artil- 
lery. Battery C took po- 
sition south of Rambu- 
court. Battery B and 
Battery A went into posi- 
tion in le Joli Bois, 
southeast of Raulecourt. 
Cannoneers from Bat- 
tery B, under command 
of First Lieutenant Os- 
car N. Schjerven, took over one platoon of 90 mm. guns and a like group 
of men from Battery A, under command of First Lieutenant John W. Mc- 
Carthy, took over another platoon of 90 mm. guns, both gun positions be- 
ing in the northern end of the Foret de la Reine, southeast of Rambucourt. 
On September 3 the two platoons joined at the Schjerven position. The 
guns were fired for registration, and, during several days prior to the infan- 
try assault, they dealt harassing fire on roads and trenches, also shelling the 
crossroads at Lahayville. Battery C, Captain Robert E. Myhrman com- 
manding, made an adjustment of fire from Observation Post No. 21 in Ram- 
bucourt. The battery delivered counter-offensive preparation fire and har- 
assing fire daily on roads and trench crossings, made an adjustment of fire 
with airplane observation on the crossroads in Richecourt, and at all other 
times was ready to shield the infantry with a defensive barrage. In de- 
livering this fire, all the gun squads of the battalion served at the pieces. 
On September 4 a few positions of the 122nd Field Artillery and 123rd Field 
Artillery were heavily shelled and two men of the 123rd Field Artillery were 
killed. All the regiments of the brigade were quietly digging gun pits under 
the camouflage in preparation for the attack, and, aided by the io8th Am- 
munition Train, were hauling ammunition to these new positions. 



ON THE BANKS OF THE LOVELY LOUE 

At Pontarlier, where units of the brigade were stationed during 
the training period. 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 503 



When the aUied high command 
determined to reduce the German 
saUent at St. Mihiel, it chose for that 
task the Fifth American Army 
Corps, the Second French Colonial 
Army Corps, the Fourth American 
Army Corps and the First American 
Army Corps, forming the First 
American Army. The Fifth Corps 
on the west of the "V" was to push 
forcefully over the hilly ground east 
of Les Eparges, the Fourth Corps 
on the south of the "V" was to make 
a thrust northward from Beau- 
mont, the First Corps was to swing 
the attack on its hinge at Pont-a- 
Mousson, and the Second Colonial 
Army Corps was to mop up the 
heights at the tip of the salient and 
to take the town of St. INIihiel. 

The Fifty-eighth Field Artillery 
Brigade, supporting the First Divi- 




GENERAL TODD'S HEADQUARTERS AT 
BOUCQ 

Formerly used as General Pershing's head- 
quarters in the St. Mihiel sector. 



sion was at the far left of the Fourth Corps sector, a sector m which an at- 
tack was very difficult. From the forest of Apremont on the west, where the 
lines passed 'over the wooded hills of Le Mont, all the dominatmg heights 
were in the hands of the enemy. But the ambition of the American arniy 
increased even the natural difficulties. We desired not only to capture the 
around of the St. Mihiel salient but to take a great number of German soldiers 
^ as well. To accomplish 

this result the attack of 
the Second Colonial 
Army Corps was held 
back until one hour after 
the two American Corps 
on its flanks had gone 
forward and it was to 
proceed at a slower rate 
of advance. Thus, not 
only were the enemy ob- 
servatories able at the 
outset to see the Ameri- 
can assaults, but for sev- 
eral hours they were to 
THE BRIDGE OVER THE RUPT DE MAD ^u^er no threatof attack^ 

Between Richecourt and Xivray-Marvoisin. To blind and destroy 




S04 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



these lines and thoroughly to defend our exposed left flank, and, at the same 
time, to give our attacking infantry thorough and effective aid, required not 
only a great massing of guns, but a complicated and skillful plan of attack as well. 
The divisional artillery of the First Division, under command of Gen- 
eral Todd, was made up of the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade; the First 
Field Artillery Brigade, Colonel Butner commanding; the Seventy-sixth 
Regiment, Field Artillery; the Forty- fourth Regiment, Coast Artillery Corps; 
and a regiment of French artillery; and was formed into five groupings. The 
Davis grouping consisted of one battalion of the Forty-fourth Regiment, 
Coast Artillery Corps (8-inch howitzers), and the second battalion of the 
12 3rd Field Artillery (155 mm. howitzers). The Kennedy grouping con- 




A BATTKRY OF 7.=;'s NEAR BKAUMONT 

sisted of the Fifth Field Artillery. These two groupings of heavy guns were 
charged with the demolition of known strong-points and of observatories. 
In the preliminary bombardment the 155 mm. guns also were entrusted with 
the duty of delivering enfilade fire on the important boyaux, and the 8-inch 
guns with the task of delivering fire on the chief trenches. 

The two groupings of direct support — the Butner grouping, consisting 
of the Sixth and Seventh Field Artillery Regiments, and the Rivers group- 
ing, consisting of the Seventy-sixth Field Artillery and 122nd Field Artil- 
lery — were given the mission of cutting wire and firing the rolling barrage 
behind which the infantry was to advance. Because of the trouble expected 
to be met in crossing the Rupt de Mad and other difficult places, and be- 
cause of the continuance of German observation from the western range 
of hills, a large proportion of smoke shells was to be used in the firing. 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 505 



Depth in the barrage was to be as- 
sured by having one battalion of 
each grouping fire 200 meters be- 
yond the hne on which the other bat- 
tahons were firing. 

The Hackett grouping, consist- 
ing of the 124th Field x\rtillery and 
the second battalion of the 123rd 
Field Artillery, was "to enfilade cer- 
tain German trenches in the Riche- 
court sector, supply a rolling barrage 
on the western edge of the sector, 
blind and destroy the observation 
posts on INIont Sec and shield the 
left flank of the division from an ex- 
pected counterattack from the west. 

To perform these missions, the 
gun positions were very carefulb/ 
chosen. The Hackett grouping was 
placed, roughly speaking, west of 
Bouconville; the Rivers grouping 
between Bouconville and Rambu- 
court, the Butner grouping between 
Rambucourt and Beaumont. The 
Kennedy grouping was placed behind Rambucourt and the Davis grouping 
was behind Beaumont and Bouconville. The reconnaissance of these posi- 
tions, the digging of gun pits and the stocking of the positions with two and 
one-half days' fire allowance of ammunition are much easier to relate than 
they were to accomplish. The fine weather, the clear air and the nearness 







ilP^^W^ 



GENERAL TODD AND COLONEL DAVIS 



4.^- 




THE SIXTEENTH INFANTRY, FIRST DIVISION, ADVANCING NEAR ST. BAUSSANT 



5o6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




CUTTING THE SAINT MIHIEL SALIENT 

Showing the advances made by the Fifty-eighth Artillery Brigade. 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



507 



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AIR VIEW OF BEAUMOXT 

Showing the famous Dead Man's Curve, where the 26th Division had sharp fighting in the 

spring of 1918. 



of the German observation posts made it necessary to do all work by night. 
But even night work was hard to do. Flares dropped by hostile aircraft 
and rockets sent up from the enemy lines cast intermittent floods of light 
on fields and roads. To avoid undue traffic congestion the circulation of 
vehicles took a counter-clockwise direction, from the dump in the Foret de 
la Reine, to Beaumont, Rambucourt, Bouconville, Broussey, and back again 
to the Foret de la Reine. On the nights of September 8, 9, 10 and 11, the 
guns were drawn from the echeloned positions into the previously prepared 
gun positions, and on the nth the brigade post of command was moved to 
Beaumont. 

At I o'clock on the morning of September 12 the preliminary bombard- 
ment of four hours began. This bombardment, which included a large pro- 
portion of gas shells, was continuous and fierce. The enemy was so un- 
nerved by the preliminary bombardment and so confused by the deadly and 



t;o8 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




MAJOR GENERAL SUMMERALL 

Commander of the First Division 
from July i8 to October ii, thereafter 
commander of the Fifth Army Corps. 



obscuring barrage fire that our troops met 
with but scattered and futile resistance. 
The observation posts on Mont Sec were 
partly obscured by smoke and their tele- 
phone lines were cut. Our men reached 
their objectives on scheduled time, and on 
the second day of the attack the Twenty- 
sixth Division of the Fifth Corps, which had 
advanced eastward from Les Eparges, met 
the First Division near Vigneulles-les-Hat- 
tonchatel. 

The battle had been won. Thousands 
of prisoners had been taken. The salient 
had been demolished. The expected coun- 
terattack never came, and the regiments had 
110 further occasion to fire. All the spec- 
tacular action was at an end, but a lot of 
precautionary work had still to be done and 
this was exacting and exhausting business. 
From September 12 to 14 the artillery regi- 
ments, moving in echelon, successively took 
up advanced positions to guard against the 



still threatened attack from the west, until all the organizations, with cais- 
sons and wagons full of ammunition, reached Nonsard — a total advance 
of more than eleven kilometers over obstructed and shell-ruined roads. The 
disorganization of the German resistance in itself was proof of the excellence 
of our artillery fire, but General Summerall, commanding the First Division, 
reputed to be one of the 
best divisions in the 
army, made official rec- 
ord of the brigade's ac- 
complishments. 

On September 14 
Lieutenant Colonel 
Campbell King, chief of 
staff of the First Divi- 
sion, sent the following 
letter to General Todd: 

"The division com- 
mander desires me to ex- 
press to you and all of 
the officers and men of 
the Fifty-eighth Field 
Artillery Brigade his 
commendation of your THE AMERICANS IN MONT SEC ville 




THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 509 




NONSARD GETS A NEW STREET 

The building at the right was used by General Todd as headquarters. 

gallant conduct in the recent operations against the St. Mihiel salient. The 
loyalty and devotion exhibited in moving forward your batteries over the 
most difficult country under the worst weather conditions are worthy of the 
best traditions of the field artillery. The skill and efficiency with which the 
guns were served are evidences of the high standard that obtains in the 
brigade." 

General Summerall also cited each of the three regiments in General 
Orders No. 58, September 19, 1918: 

'Tor great devotion to duty and efficiency in advancing over muddy 
and difficult roads under the worst weather conditions and rendering at all 
times invaluable support to the attacking infantry in the advance of Septem.- 
ber 12-13, 1918." 

The importance of the battle in which the brigade took such a brilliant 
part is shown in the following telegram, sent by General Pershing to Major 
General Dickman. commanding the Fourth American Army Corps: 

"Please accept my sincere congratulations on the successful and im- 
portant part taken by the officers and men of the Fourth Corps in the first 
offensive of the First American Army, on September 12 and 13, The cour- 
ageous dash and vigor of our troops has thrilled our countrymen and evoked 



510 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




NONSARD AS SEEN FROM THE AIR ON THE AFTERNOON OF SEPTEMBER 1,3, 1918 



the enthusiasm of our alHes. Please convey to your command my heartfelt 
appreciation of their splendid work. I am proud of you all." 

The junction of the Twenty-sixth Division and the First Division re- 
sulted in the withdrawal of the First Division from the line. It was ordered 
to the Bois de la Belle Oxiere for rest, reorganization and re-equipment and 
along with it was to go its divisional artillery. The artillery organizations 
were in great need of rest. For three weeks they had been camped in the 
wet woods, subjected to gas and bombing attacks, and in the latter part of 
that period men and animals had become well tired out; the cannoneers 
from digging gun emplacements, the drivers and horses from hauling am- 



THE 58x11 FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



511 



munition. Besides this, they had had the added fatigue of the attack and 
subsequent frequent changes of position. 

Before the regiments began to move, however, an order came detach- 
ing the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade from the First Division and 
ordering it to report to the Second French Army. So instead of obtaining 
the much-needed rest the brigade was to go immediately from St. Mihiel to 
the Argonne, passing through one of its most exacting experiences in the war, 
a period of long and tedious night marches and of day encampments in the 
wet woods. 

The organizations marched from Nonsard to the woods near Broussey 
on September 14; on the 15th they marched via Gironville, Mecrin and 
Koeur le Petit to woods near Koeur le Grand; on the i6th they moved to 
Pierrefitte and towns nearby — Belrain, Nicey and Villotte; on the 17th and 
1 8th, going by way of Beauzee, Deuxnouds, Seraucourt, Fleury and Froidos, 
they moved into the woods west of Autrecourt. On the 21st they finally 
reached the Bois de Parois. The total distance covered in the week was 
104 kilometers. 

The First American Army, in the Meuse-Argonne campaign, made three 
distinct efforts to pierce the German lines north of Verdun. The first, last- 
ing from September 26 to October 4, and the second, from October 4 to 
October 31, constituted a slow, creeping fight of great ferocity. The Ger- 




THE END OF THE ST. MIHIEL SALIENT 
A street scene in Vigneulles, showing the effects of American shell-fire. It was at Vigneulles 
that the First Division, advancing from the south, met the Twenty-sixth Division, advancing from 
the west, thus eliminating the salient. 



512 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




THE BRIDGE AT PAROIS 

mans were driven back from the organized defenses of their trench system 
to partly organized but very effective natural defenses. Range on range of 
steep wooded hills and ravine after ravine easily lent themselves to the ma- 
chine gun defense of the enemy. The third phase of the drive, beginning 
November i, was the mighty thrust which broke down the German organ- 
ization, and cut the Metz-Mezieres Railroad, one of the two main lines of 
supply of the German army. The Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade be- 
lieves it was the first organization to fire on the IMetz-Mezieres Railroad, 
which it attacked November 5. 

Roughly, the American sector was divided as follows: The First Corps 
attacked in the Aire Valley and the Fifth and Third Corps in the west and 




THE CROSSROADS AT PAROIS 
Parois was one of the towns through which units of the brigade passed on their way 

into the Argonne. 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



513 




GERMAN FIRST LINE TRENCH AND PILL BOX 

Destroyed by a direct hit on September 26. 



east parts of the Grand 
Couronne. The Ninety- 
first Division, supported 
by the Fifty-eighth Field 
Artillery Brigade, was 
the left division of the 
Fifth Corps, with the 
Thirty-seventh and Sev- 
enty-ninth Divisions on 
its right and the Thirty- 
fifth Division of the First 
Corps on its left. 

Opposite the Nine- 
ty-first Division, the 

Germans' supply lines ran down deep ravines, perpendicular to the front; 
cover was afforded their artillery by successive ranges of wooded hills; their 
machine guns could enfilade all approaches. In some places they had or- 
ganized these natural defenses with barbed wire and shallow trenches, as 
in the Kriemhilde and Freya Stellungen. The experienced German Army 
Staff took advantage of every inch of this difficult terrain and organized an 
admirable defense, depending upon isolated machine guns and artillery of 
all calibres. 

On the other hand, the American lines of supply were never particularly 
good, and during the advance their condition became steadily worse. Our 
troops, in advancing, were often in fiill view of the concealed German ma- 
chine gunners and artillery observers. Our artillery advanced over the worst 
possible roads and only by superhuman efforts was it able to keep up with 
our attacking infantry. Our forces were under another disadvantage; they 

were operating in this 
sector for the first time. 
The divisional artil- 
lery of the Ninety-first 
Division, General Todd 
commanding, was organ- 
ized in four groupings. 
The trench mortar 
grouping, under com- 
mand of Captain C. J. 
Kraft, consisted of the 
1 08th Trench Mortar 
Battery, the 308th 
Trench Mortar Battery 
and the Seventeenth and 
Twentieth Batteries of 
ON THE ROAD FROM AVOCOURT TO VERY the 176th Regiment of 




514 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




IN THE FORET DE HESSE 
An airplane view on a rainy day. 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 515 




ARTILLERY OBSERVATION POST ON CIGARETTE BUTTE 



French Trench Artillery. 
It was to deliver enfilad- 
ing and destructive fire 
on the highly organized 
trench systems just west 
of Avocourt, and to cut 
gaps in the first wire en- 
tanglements. 

There were two 
groupings of heavy artil- 
lery, the 155 mm. group- 
ing, which consisted of 
the 123rd Field Artillery 
and the Thirty-sixth Bat- 
tery of the Eighth Regi- 
ment of French Foot 
Artillery, Colonel 
Charles G. Davis commanding, and the 9.2 -inch grouping, the Sixty-fifth 
Regiment, Coast Artillery Corps, under Colonel Howell. These units deliv- 
ered preparation fire upon machine guns, dugouts, strong-points and the 
trenches further back. During the attack they fired the covering barrage. 

The light artillery grouping, under command of Brigadier General Flem- 
ing, was in turn divided into two sub-groupings: the Foreman sub-grouping 
and the Hackett sub-grouping. The former comprised the 122nd Field Ar- 
tillery and the first battalion of the 124th Field Artillery, and supported the 
i8ist Brigade in the right of the sector. The latter was made up of the 322nd 
Field Artillery and the second battalion of the 124th Field Artillery, and 
was to support the 182nd Brigade in the left of the sector. The entire group- 
ing was to deliver inter- 
diction and harassing 
fire, and during the prep- 
aration was to cut gaps 
in the wire entangle- 
ments. During the at- 
tack it was to furnish the 
rolling barrage. All the 
groupings were placed 
within the division sector 
in the Foret de Hesse, 
midway between Vau- 
quois and Avocourt; 
those farthest back were 
within three kilometers 
of the enemy's front line 
trenches. 























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LUOKING SOUTH FROM VAUQUOIS 
On the left the Avocourt road; on the right La Cigalerie. 



Si6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



General Todd received instructions for the attack from the corps com- 
mander, Major General Cameron, and from the corps artillery commander, 
Major General Alexandre, on September 19, at the Fifth Corps Headquar- 
ters in Ville-sur-Cousances. On September 20 battery positions were recon- 
noitered and on the 21st the delivery of ammunition to the battery positions 
commenced. Because of the scarcity of trucks and the exhausted condi- 
tion of the horses the delivery of ammunition was one of the most serious 
problems faced. Great credit should be given to Lieutenant Colonel Fisher 
of the 1 08th Ammunition Train, Lieutenant Julien of General Alexandre's 
staff and First Lieutenant A. G. Ford of the brigade staff, as well as to the 




NO MAN'S LAND NEAR THE BOIS DE CHEPPY 

Showing havoc wrought by the American barrage of September 26. 

personnel of the brigade for putting the complete allowance of ammunition 
in place in such a short time. On September 21 and 22 the first battalion 
of the 124th Field Artillery took over the defense of the sector from the 
French. On the 23rd the brigade post of command was moved to Bertrame 
Ferme and on the 24th the division plan of attack was received. 

The preliminary bombardment commenced at 2:30 a. m., September 
26, and continued until 5:30 with an intermission of five minutes, from 4:15 
to 4:20, to permit the sound-ranging section to locate active German bat- 
teries. From 4:20 to 4:30 German positions were gassed. At 5:30 the 
infantry attacked. 

The day's objective for the division was the heights northwest of Gesnes. 
This meant an advance of fourteen kilometers over the most difficult sort 
of ground and beyond the fire of the divisional artillery. The troops did 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 517 




<;^2/|2?/^CT25-NoKl 



IN THE ARGONNE 

Showing the territory covered by the advance of the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade 

in the first and second phases. 



5i8 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



not reach this objective. The heights were not captured until October 15. 
But even if the division did fail to reach its goal, it fought well. It advanced 
six kilometers, through the dense woods of Cheppy to the ridge northwest 
of Very, after breaking through barrier after barrier of wire entanglements, 
and stamping out innumerable machine gun nests. 

The advance of the infantry was remarkable, but that of the artillery 
was more so. It was to be expected that the infantry attack would succeed 
as long as the artillery kept it in range. The artillery's successful effort 
promptly to increase its range by moving forward was the outstanding 
feature of the attack. Before dusk of the first day, three battalions of 75 
mm. guns, with full supplies of ammunition, had passed over a road pro- 




TYPICAL THICKET NEAR VERY 

Through which the Americans advanced; on Hill 242. 

nounced impassable — the road through Avocourt — had gone into position 
from one-half to one and one-half kilometers behind the infantry outpost 
lines: had oriented their guns, and had laid them for fire. The next day 
the remaining battalion of the 124th Field Artillery and the 123rd Field 
Artillery with its attached French battalion moved into the same neighbor- 
hood, two kilometers southeast of Very. Here the regiments fired upon all 
obstacles to the infantry advance — upon machine gun nests, upon enemy 
batteries and upon concentration of enemy troops. On September 29 Col- 
onel Horatio B. Hackett, commanding the 124th Field Artillery, while gal- 
lantly directing his regiment under heavy fire, was seriously wounded by shell 
splinters and was removed to the hospital. 

By September 29 the infantry advance had warranted the further dis- 
placement of the regiments northward. The second battalion of the 124th 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



519 




THE VERY CROSSROADS 

Used as Ninety-first Division post of command from September 26 to 28; about one-half kilometer 

southeast of Very. 

Field Artillery moved to a position one-half kilometer west of Epinonville 
and the rest of the brigade moved to positions between Very and Epinon- 
ville. The 123rd Field Artillery occupied positions just off the road connect- 
ing these towns. The second battalion of the 124th Field Artillery was in 
position west of the road and all the positions of the 122nd Field Artillery 
were east of the road. Here the brigade remained until October 11 and 12, 
when it was withdrawn for rest and re-equipment. The infantry supported 
by the brigade was making slow progress. This was not due to any fault 
of the infantry or to the lack of artillery support. At one time the left 
divisional flank was exposed for a kilometer and a half, and only the strength 
and quickness of a heavy defensive barrage saved our infantry from en- 





IN THE TOWN OF VERY 



S20 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




circlement. Again, on 
September 30, behind a 
rolling barrage by the 
Fifty-eighth Field Artil- 
lery Brigade, the i8ist 
Infantry Brigade ad- 
vanced and took Gesnes. 
The exposure of the 
flanks again menaced 
and our troops had to re- 
tire. 

On October 4 the 
Ninety-first Division In- 
fantry was relieved by 
the Thirty-second Divi- 
sion, to which the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade was then attached. 
The following extract from a letter from Major General George H. Cameron, 
the corps commander, gives the reasons for the relief of the Ninety-first: 

"Under orders from First Army, the Ninety-first Division will be re- 
lieved from the front line tonight and placed in corps reserve. 

"The corps commander wishes you to understand that this relief results 
solely from a realization by higher command that your division has done its 
full share in the recent success, and is entitled to a rest for reorganization. 
This especially, as during the past three days it has incurred heavy casual- 
ties when circumstances would not permit either advance or withdrawal. 

"At a time when the divisions on its flank were faltering and even falling 
back, the Ninety-first pushed ahead and steadfastly clung to every yard 
gained. 



BRIGADE P. C. NEAR EPINONVILLE 

General Todd's headquarters on September 28, 1918. 




LOOKING TOWARD ECLISFONTAINE FROM EPINON\TLLE 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



521 



'Tn its initial performance, your division has established itself firmly on 
the list of the commander-in-chief's reliable fighting units. Please extend 
to your officers and men my appreciation of their splendid behavior and my 
hearty congratulations on the brilliant record they have made." 

The Thirty-second Division continued to attack daily and the Fifty- 
eighth Field Artillery Brigade continued to render assistance. At this time 
the second great German defensive system was pierced. The world-renowned 
Kriemhilde Stcllimg, which straddled the precipitous wooded slopes north 
of Gesnes fell before our troops after a bitter fight. 

Throughout the whole period, the artillery liaison officers with the in- 
fantry units always displayed bold initiative and a fine courage. Because 
of their effective service, immediate and effective fire was brought to bear 
upon all the obstacles hindering our infantry advance. Deserving of special 







THE VIEW EAST FROM EPINONVILLE 

The crest of Montfaucon rises beyond the town of Ivoiry. 

mention in this respect is the work of First Lieutenant Latimer Johns of 
the 122nd Field Artillery. Lieutenant Johns directed the supporting fire of 
his regiment for the attacking infantry from the initial assault of Septem- 
ber 26 until his death. And during all the trying days he displayed an in- 
trepidity which belongs only to the bravest of men. He was killed by shell 
fire on September 30 at Gesnes. 

The high favor in which our artillery was held may be judged by two 
letters to General Todd from the Thirty-second Division infantry brigade 
commanders, one from Brigadier General E. B. Winans and the other from 
Brigadier General Frank McCoy. General Winans wrote: 

"I desire to express my utmost satisfaction with the artillery support by 
your Fifty-eighth Artillery Brigade in connection with the successful attack 
and capture by the Sixty-fourth Infantry Brigade of the Bois de la Morine, 
the Bois du Chene Sec, and the town of Gesnes. In this operation the bar- 



522 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




A POSITION OF THE ENEMY'S GREAT GUNS 

At Eclisfontaine, which the Germans held until the attack of September 26, iqi8. 

rage was precise and exactly timed, the destructive and the counter-battery 
fire effective, and the fire on fleeting targets prompt and accurate. The 
efficient haison estabhshed by your Haison officers, Lieutenants Shields and 
Hunter, is deserving of high commendation. It will no doubt gratify you 
to know that not a single report of friendly "shorts" was received during 
this operation." 

In his letter to General Todd, General McCoy said: "During the first 
few days of the operation of my brigade against the Kricmhilde Stcllung in 
front of Romagne, I had the very effective support of your brigade of field 
artillery, and I wish to express my appreciation to both yourself and your 
colonels. I was keenly conscious of this support, not only when asked, but 
of the quick and fine initiative of yourself and staff, which made it a pleasure 
and satisfaction to work together." 

Two defensive systems had been crushed. The third was to fall later. 
Its reduction constituted the third phase of the Argonne offensive. 

The brigade had been working to the point of exhaustion. So, Octo- 
ber II, when the infantry advanced beyond the range of our guns the brigade 
was relieved from line duty and was sent to the area in and near Ville-sur- 
Cousances, for refitting. So great had been the losses of horses that the jour- 
ney was made in easy stages. Brigade headquarters and the 123rd Field 
Artillery went to Ville-sur-Cousances; the 122nd Field Artillery to Jubecourt, 
the 124th Field Artillery to Brocourt, the io8th Ammunition Train to Bra- 
bant and the io8th Trench Mortar Battery to Vraincourt. 

After an inspection on October 17 by Major General McNair, and ac- 
cording to instructions from the First Army headquarters, the 123rd Field 
Artillery turned over to the 122nd Field Artillery and to the 124th Field 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



523 




'^^t' 









..RieG£ANI.K1HE.; 
" THOR SPRENGFfcH 




Artillery its rolling stock and ani- 
mals. On the 22 nd it began to move 
to the training area at Doulaincourt, 
where it was motorized. By this 
transaction the two light regiments 
became well horsed. 

On October 23 the brigade was 
joined by the Eleventh Field Artil- 
lery (155 mm. motorized) Colonel 
W. G. Peace, commanding. The 
brigade then went back into the line, 
returning to a familiar sector — the 
area north of Gesnes. It was still 
in the Fifth Army Corps, but this 
time in support of the Eighty-ninth 
Division. The brigade post of com- 
mand was established in Gesnes, the 
town where Lieutenant Johns had been killed. This town had been aban- 
doned and subsequently had been retaken by the Thirty-second Division 
supported by the Fifty-eighth Brigade. North of Gesnes and northwest of 
Romagne the artillery regiments were placed in the well defiladed wooded 
valleys of the great Kriemhilde Stellung. The enemy had organized the 



ON A WALL IN GESNES 

A German war loan poster, designed to stimulati 

feeling against Great Britain. 




^j/rr^ 




'•■» r, * 



IN THE STREETS OF GESNES 
Gesnes was one of the objectives of the S8th Field Artillery Brigade in the Meuse-Argonne drive. 



524 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE HILL NORTH OF GESNES 
The scene of heavy American casualties. 



Bois de Hazois and La Dhuy Ferme as strong-points of first resistance. Be- 
hind towered the formidable heights of Barricourt, thickly wooded and 
bristling with enemy batteries. 

The regiments moved into position on the night of October 25 and from 
that time till November i engaged in harassing, interdiction and counter- 
battery fire. The chief targets for harassing and interdiction fire were the 
woods of Hazois, L'Epasse and Andevanne; for harassing fire only, the 
farms of La Bergerie, La Dhuy, and La Tuilerie and the town of Remon- 
ville; for interdiction fire the road crossings between Bantheville and Re- 
monville. During this period the information reports of Lieutenant K. K. 
Richardson of the 122nd Field Artillery were of great value not alone to the 
brigade, but to the army corps as well. 

On October 30 General Todd, accompanied by Brigadier General Ed- 
ward A. Miller, with General Todd's aid, Lieutenant Leon Dessez, and Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Frank R. Schwengel of the i2 2n-d Field Artillery, made a per- 
sonal reconnaissance of the roads and bridges which were to be used in the 
expected advance. The party went beyond the infantry outpost line in the 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 525 

western edge of the Bois de Bantheville and was immediately the target of 
enemy shell fire, A shell splinter wounded General Todd in the face. Al- 
though weak from loss of blood he continued his reconnaissance and upon 
returning to his post of command issued to the regimental commanders the 
instructions based on his reconnaissance. He refused to allow himself to be 
sent to the hospital until the brigade was about to move forward on Novem- 
ber I. 

The artillery concentration for the offensive of November i was one of 
the greatest, if not the greatest, massing of guns of the war. The entire 
Fifty-seventh and Fifty-eighth Brigades and the 203rd French Regiment 
comprised the divisional artillery of the Eighty-ninth Division. Besides, 
there was located in the sector a great number of guns of the corps and army 
artillery. In the divisional area, two kilometers wide, there were, along with 
some large cahbre railway guns, thirty-two batteries of 75 mm, rifles, nine 
batteries of 105 mm. rifles, twenty-one batteries of 155 mm. howitzers, six 
batteries of 155 mm. Schneider rifles, six batteries of 155 mm. G. P. F. rifles, 
and four batteries of 8,2-inch howitzers, a total of seventy-eight batteries. 
All the divisional artillery of the Eighty-ninth Division was under the com- 
mand of Brigadier General Irwin, commanding the Fifty-seventh Brigade, 
until the battalions began to move forward, when only the Fifty-eighth 
Brigade and the 203rd French Regiment were to constitute the divisional 
artillery of the Eighty-ninth Division under the command of Brigadier Gen- 
eral E. A. Millar, Sixth Field Artillery Brigade, who temporarily succeeded 
General Todd in command. 




THE TERRAIN NEAR GESNES 
Panorama from Hill 255, one kilometer northwest of Gesnes. 



526 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




IN THE ARGONNE: THE LAST PHASE 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 527 




THE MAIN ROAD INTO ROMAGNE 

At 3:30 a. m., the preliminary bombardment started and at 5:30 the 
infantry attack began. The heavy guns fired upon known strong-points and 
upon sensitive points at great range. The 155 mm. howitzers furnished 
the accompanying barrage and the 75 mm. rifles fired the rolhng barrage. 
The rolHng barrage was quite remarkable. One battery in each battalion 
fired shrapnel only, and one-fourth of all the guns fired smoke shells. At 
7:30 the rear battalion of the 122nd Field Artillery ceased firing and ad- 
vanced to a position near La Dhuy Ferme. It was followed a half hour 
later by the forward battalion which advanced also to La Dhuy Ferme and 
went into position there. From these positions the regiments took up the 
rolling barrage at 12:30, according to schedule, and continued it to and be- 
yond the day's objective. 

The 124th Field Ar- 
tillery commenced to 
move at 11:30, and by 
the middle of the after- 
noon was ready to fire 
from positions northeast 
of La Dhuy Ferme. Tha 
Eleventh Field Artillery 
left its position northwest 
of Romagne in the after- 
noon and marched to its 
new position south of 
Remonville before day- 
break November 2 . That 
afternoon, General Mil- 

lov'c ^r.rr.r^^r.A ^r.,r^A f^ COMMANDERS OF THE EIGHTY-NINTH DIVISION 

lar s command moved to ,, . ^ , „,.,,. , , „, .■,,,.,,, , ,t • 

, -p^. Major General William M. Wright (right) and Major General 

L,a. JJnuy rerme. Frank Winn, his successor in command. 




528 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



The day's attack was conspicuously successful along the entire front of 
the army. Our troops reached all their objectives and in doing so, pierced 
the last German defensive system before Sedan, the Freya Stellung on the 
heights of Barricourt. The Eighty-ninth Division, with the support of the 
Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade, captured 1,500 prisoners, many machine 
guns and field pieces, and great quantities of ammunition. It also was one 
of the divisions which made the greatest progress of the day. 

Brigadier General Dwight B. Aultman, chief of artillery of the Fifth 
Corps wrote to General Millar: 




THE AMERICANS ADVANCE THROUGH REMONVILLE 

The wagons carrying machine gun ammunition, the ambulances, and the remnants of street 
barricades tell their own story. This photograph was taken on November 2, 1918, the morning 
after the Eighty-ninth Division entered RemonvDle. 

"I transmit herewith letter of commendation from the corps commander 
regarding the action of the artillery in the operations of November i. In 
transmitting this letter I desire to add my own thanks and appreciation to 
you and to the ofiicers and men of your brigade for the hearty cooperation 
that has resulted in such a brilliant success. To have enabled our infantry 
to advance in one day over a distance of nine kilometers, with small losses, 
capturing over a hundred guns, two hundred machine guns and more than 
two thousand prisoners is an achievement which the artillery may well be 
proud of, and I congratulate your entire command on having so well per- 
formed its share in the operation. I desire that the contents of the letter 
of the corps commander be made known to the officers and men of your 
command, as well as my own appreciation of their own splendid conduct." 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



529 




IN THE FORET DE DIEULET 



The letter referred to, from Major 
General Summerall, commanding the Fifth 
Army Corps, follows: 

'T desire to convey to you and to the 
officers and soldiers of all artillery serving 
in this corps my profound appreciation and 
my admiration of the brilliant manner in 
which the artillery of all classes has per- 
formed the difficult part allotted to it, espe- 
cially during the advance of November i. 
Although the artillery has been constantly 
in action day and night, sustaining the bat- 
tle since the beginning of the present offen- 
sive, it has responded with self-sacrificing devotion to duty, with superb effi- 
ciency that is beyond all praise. While our dauntless infantry have advanced 
against the enemy prepared positions with a courage that elicits our greatest 
admiration, it must be recognized that without the powerful and skillful opera- 
tion of the artillery it would have been impossible to accomplish the results 
which they have so brilliantly achieved. The tremendous volume of fire, the 
skillful arrangement of all objectives, and the perfect coordination with the 
infantry and machine guns have made the action of November i a model of 
completeness, and it must stand as a tribute to the able administrative officers 
v/ho conceived the plans and to the technical ability and fidelity to duty of 
those who executed them. I beg that you convey to the officers and soldiers 
of all units of all artillery the foregoing sentiments and assure them of my abid- 
ing wishes for their continued success in the campaigns that lie before them." 

On November 2 the 122nd Field Artillery advanced again to positions 
near Remonville. At 5:30 a. m., the infantry continued the attack, pro- 
tected by the rolling barrage of the two light regiments and the covering 




AINCREVILLE SEEN FROM THE SOUTH 



530 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



S? 



fire of the Eleventh Field 
Artillery. During the 
rest of the day the two 
light regiments, in liaison 
with the infantry, fired 
on all targets reported, 
while the Eleventh Field 
Artillery and the corps 
artillery shelled various 
^ '■-^St0'i^ sensitive areas and deliv- 

Bu. "^ j%!^7^ ered counter-battery fire 

*"' ' against enemy guns re- 

ported in action. The 
day's advance was five 
kilometers. 

From this time until 
November 6 the advance 
continued rapidly, our 
infantry pressing ahead 
all the while — the ad- 
vancing batteries occu- 
pying position after posi- 
tion. With effective artil- 
lery support the infantry 
penetrated and captured 
the Foret de Dieulet and 
reached the Meuse. The 
brigade post of command 
moved from La Dhuy 
Ferme to Remonville, then to Barricourt and then to Tailly. On Novem- 
ber 5 General Todd returned from the hospital and resumed command of 
the brigade. On the same day the 203rd French Regiment, attached to the 
brigade, opened fire on the main artery of the German communications in 
the east — the Metz-lNIezieres Railroad. 

On November 7, in anticipation of supporting the river crossing, all 
regiments took up positions northwest of the Laneuville-Beaumont road. 
The Eleventh Field Artillery continued to fire on the Metz-Mezieres Rail- 
road. Ammunition was brought up and all the regiments were well stocked 
with supplies. General Todd completed the artillery plan of attack. 

The night of November 10 a crossing of the Meuse was to be forced 
from Pouilly on the left to Stenay on the right. The eastern heights of the 
river were to be seized. To support this movement the divisional artillery 
was divided into three tactical groupings: (i) the Foreman grouping, com- 
posed of the 122nd Field Artillery and first battalion of the 124th Field 
Artillery, (2) the Rogers grouping, composed of the second battalion of the 




THE CHURCH AT AIXCREVILLE 

A machine gun nest in the tower resisted for forty-eight hours 
before the infantry could wipe it out. 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



531 



124th Field Artillery and the battalion of the 203rd French Field Artillery, 
and (3) the Peace grouping, or the Eleventh Field Artillery. The com- 
manders of the first two groupings arranged with the infantry commanders 
for the support of the left and right crossings, respectively. The Peace group- 
ing remained under the control of the divisional artillery commander. It 
was planned to have it pass to the control of the corps artillery commander 
after the objective had been reached, but the armistice ended hostilities be- 
fore this happened. 

The attack started at 9:30 p. m., on November 10. By the morning 
of November 11 our troops were mopping up Pouilly and Stenay and we 
were on the heights north of Pouilly. November 11 at 11 a. m., the guns 
were silent. Germany had agreed to the terms of the armistice. Announce- 





THE FERME DE LA WARNE AT POUILLY 



ment of the German acceptance reached brigade headquarters at 9:30; at 
10:45 the light guns ceased fire and at 11 the Peace grouping ceased fire. 
An unknown calm came upon the country. 

The time between November 5 and November 11 was most trying for 
the brigade. The only route of supplies and ammunition was through Laneu- 
villC; a route constantly subjected to murderous enfilade shell fire. That 
we were able to keep the regiments supplied was due only to the dauntless 
bravery of officers and men alike. 

A word of special praise is due to First Lieutenant Joseph Z. Burgee, 
brigade communications officer. Throughout the advance, brigade head- 
quarters kept in constant touch with the regiments and with the infantry. 
For one day at least all the division communications were maintained over 
the brigade telephone lines. In handling this troublesome problem and by 



532 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




GENERAL TODDS HEADQUARTERS AT STENAY 

In a chateau formerly occupied by the Crown Prince of Germany. 

maintaining lines through heavily shelled areas, Lieutenant Burgee displayed 
not only initiative and daring, but great brilliancy as well. 

Adequately to assess the accomplishment of the offensive that began 
on November i it is again necessary to quote Major General Summerall: 

The announcement of a general armistice with the enemy brings to a temporary suspension 
the brilliant advance of the Fifth Corps which commenced November i. The corps commander, 
therefore, takes this occasion to congratulate the officers and soldiers of the troops engaged with 
the corps upon the fortitude, the courage, the endurance, the skill and the determination that 
characterized their conduct throughout the operation. The corps commander further desires to 
express his gratitude for the loyalty with which the troops have responded to every demand which 
has been made upon them and to assure them of the deep sense of his pride and the honor that 
has come to him in commanding such superb organizations. 

Commencing November i the troops have advanced more than thirty kilometers against the 
strongest opposition that the enemy could offer by his best troops. They have broken through 

the last vestige of the Hinden- 
burg Line and the Freya Stel- 
lung, captured many prisoners, 
numerous guns, large quantities 
of war materiel and have dis- 
persed and destroyed the enemy 
organizations. On the very 
night preceding the armistice 
the troops of this corps made a 
brilliant passage of the river 
Meuse and occupied the high 
ground constituting the bridge- 
head to the east of that river. 

Notwithstanding that since 
the last days of August these 
troops have been constantly 
marching and fighting, sleeping 
in the open and even at times 
going without their regular sup- 
plies of food, and subjected to 
rain, cold, and exposure in the 




THE FIRST AMERICAN WAGONS IN STENAY 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



533 



mud, there 'has been no fault nor complaint, but with a singleness of purpose they have de- 
voted themselves to the great mission that devolves upon them. 

By their progress they have contributed immeasurably to the total defeat of the enemy 
and compelled him to sue for terms. Prior to the advance, the corps commander took occasion 
to assure the troops that great results must follow upon their actions and that they must expect 
to capture large numbers of prisoners and booty. The success in compelling the enemy to 
sue for peace has been beyond our greatest expectations. History will accord to the troops of 
this corps their abundant share in the fruits of victory. All officers and soldiers who participated 
in this campaign must feel a just pride in the privilege that came to them and the place they 
must occupy in the gratitude and affection of our people. To those of our comrades that have 
laid down their Hves, or who have suffered wounds or sickness, we and our nation will ever 
afford those sentiments of reverence and honor that they have justly earned. 

After the armistice the brigade remained in the vicinity of Stenay until 
January 4, 191 9, when it rejoined the Thirty-third Division in Luxemburg. 

While at Stenay, Colonel Arthur L. Keesling assumed command of the 
124th Field Artillery. He joined the regiment on November 13 and com- 
manded it until it left Europe the following spring. 

The 60-mile march of the brigade from Stenay to Luxemburg was ac- 
complished in three days. The march discipline was excellent, and the con- 
dition of personnel, animals and materiel was considered by the major gen- 
eral and his staff to be a credit to the division. The various units spent the 
winter and early spring billeted in towns about ten miles north of the city 
of Luxemburg. The men quickly made friends with the inhabitants and 
their conduct was such as to inspire confidence in the American soldier. 




SECOND BATTALION OF THE 123RD AT THE TRACTOR SHOW 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



535 




STAFF OF THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 

Seated: Lieutenant Colonel Roth, Brigadier General Todd, Captain Reed. 
Standing: First Lieutenants Freeman, Burgee, Gribbel, Harris and Ford. 



Although it was believed that all fighting was over, intensive training 
was continued and the command remained in a high state of efficiency. The 
reports of all inspectors showed that the brigade compared favorably as a 
fighting organization, not only with other units of the Thirty-third Division 
but also with the artillery brigades of all other divisions of the Army of 
Occupation. Its superior condition was especially noticeable in competitions 
at various horse and motor shows held throughout the occupied territory. 

Foreign service at last came to an end. On May 16, 1919, the brigade, 
lacking only the ammunition train and the trench mortar battery, sailed 
from Brest for New York on board the America. The customary high state 
of morale and discipline was maintained throughout the voyage. 

New York was reached May 24. The brigade remained for about a 
week at Camp Mills, L. I., and then entrained for Chicago. On June 4 it 
marched through the city, receiving the cheers of tremendous crowds. 

The parade was the brigade's last active duty. After a few days at 
Camp Grant, it was mustered out. 



536 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



DECORATION RECEIVED BY HEADQUARTERS, 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 

Brigadier General 
H. D. Todd, Jr. 

Distinguished Service Medal 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE HEADQUARTERS, FIFTY-EIGHTH FIELD ARTILLERY 

BRIGADE, WHO WERE CITED FOR GALLANTRY BY GENERAL 

PERSHING AND GENERAL BELL 

t Received citations both from General Bell and General Pershing. 
* Received citation only from General Pershing. 
Others received citation from General Bell. 



Brigadier General 

t Henry D. Todd, Jr. 

First Lieutenants 

Joseph Z. Burgee 
Albert C. Ford 

Sergeant 

t James B. Allen 

Corporals 

t John S. French 
* Philip W. O'Neill 



Privates, First Class 

t Wilbur A. Andrews 
t Joseph Paul Contarsy 
t Raymund R. Edmunds 
t William R. Schulte 

Privates 

t Walter A. Johansen 
t James A. Feeley 
* Michael J. Rooney 



CERTIFICATES FOR ESPECIALLY MERITORIOUS AND CONSPICUOUS SERVICE 
AWARDED BY GENERAL PERSHING TO PERSONNEL OF HEAD- 
QUARTERS, FIFTY-EIGHTH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



First Lieutenant 

Joseph Z. Burgee 



Corporal 

Alexander B. Gordon 



ROSTER OF OFFICERS, HEADQUARTERS, 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 



Brigadier General 

Henry D. Todd, Jr. 
Commander 

Lieutenant Colonel 
George Roth 

Chief of Staff and Adjutant 

Majon 

Harold Bryson 

Operations Officer 
Ivan K. Hendrickson 

Communications Officer 

Captain 

Gail Reed 

Supply and Transportation Officer 

First Lieutenants 

Joseph Z. Burgee 

Communications Officer 



Franklin Dean (later Major) 

Aide-de-Camp 
Leon Dessez 

Aide-de-Camp 
Albert C. Ford 

Munitions Officer and Commander of 
Headquarters Detachment 
Edgar W. Freeman 

Aide-de-Camp 
Leon Tournier 

Operations Officer French Army 
J. B. Gribbel (later Captain) 

Aide-de-Camp 
Stanley G. Harris 

Aide-de-Camp 
John Stewart Pettit 

Aide-de-Camp 

Adjutant 

Berthold Barth 

Official Interpreter 



THE 58TH FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE 537 

ORDERS AND LETTERS OF COMMENDATION 

At the close of the first phase of the Meuse-Argonne offensive, the following order was issued 
from the headquarters of the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade; 

Special Orders: 
No. 14: 

I, The Brigade Commander cites the following organizations for distinguished conduct during 
the operations west of Verdun during the period from September 2bih to October nth: 

Brigade Headquarters Detachment 

For courage and high devotion to duty of operations, signal, message and other details under 
shell fire in a rapid advance against a resisting enemy northwest of Verdun under adverse weather 
conditions extending over fifteen days. 

1 2 2ND Field Artillery 
123RD Field Artillery 
124TH Field Artillery 

For immediate and consistent support of the Infantry in a rapid advance against a stoutly 
resisting enemy northwest of Verdun and steady artillery offensive against enemy counter attacks, 
over most difficult terrain and against adverse weather conditions, extending over fifteen days. 

ioSth Ammunition Train 

For marked zeal and energy in the service of ammunition to the artillery during all hours of 
the day and night over the most difficult roads and against adverse weather conditions in a con- 
tinuous operation against the enemy northwest of Verdun e.vtending over fifteen days. 

ioSth Trench Mortar Battery 

For readiness and initiative in support of the Infantry and effectiveness of fire against first line 
trenches of the enemy northwest of Verdun on the first night of operations, September 26, 1918. 

By Command of Brigadier General Todd 
George Roth, 
Major, U. S. A., Brigade Adjutant. 

On December 5, iqiS, after hostilities had ended. General Todd in the following order, expressed 
his opinion of the command which he had helped to organize and train and with which he had 
fought : 

General Orders: 
No. 17. 

I desire to express my appreciation of the work of the officers and enlisted men of the Fifty- 
eighth Field Artillery Brigade from the organization of the command until the present time. 

Notwithstanding the drudgery and often what must have been considered unnecessary hard- 
ships and restrictions during the long pre'iminary training in the United States, there never was 
any indication of disloyalty or discontent; but there was displayed at all times a cheerful willing- 
ness to make every effort to form an efficient force. The same spirit prevailed while in training 
in France. 

The devotion to duty and the high spirit developed during the training periods were shown 
by the work of all units of the command in their first battle — the reduction of the St. Mihiel 
salient, September 12 and 13. Here, although associated with a veteran and most efficient division, 
the First Division of regulars, they won high praise from all ranks of that division, including its 
commander. 

Without a day's rest after that engagement, the brigade marched every night to go into that 
part of the American line which is east of the Argonne and west of Montfaucon. 

With the exception of a few days' rest near the line, the brigade, marching with the infantry, 
fought continuously from the 26th of September until the Meuse was crossed and hostilities ceased 
on November 11. 



538 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

Throughout this period its one aim was to assist and protect the infantry of the division to 
which it was attached. Officers of the 122nd, 123rd and 124th Regiments accurately computed 
firing data at all hours of the day and night, often in the rain and almost always under shell fire. 
The officers and enlisted men of these regiments continually limbered up and changed positions 
under fire with the greatest steadiness, although they were often obliged to cut out the injured 
horses and lay to one side their dead and wounded comrades. Without regard to their losses or the 
distance to be marched, their batteries were kept well to the front, and their guns were manned at 
all times with an accuracy that caused most favorable comment from the infantry they were 
supporting. 

The officers and the enlisted men of the io8th Ammunition Train never failed to deliver 
ammunition, no matter what shell fire their trucks had to pass through or what losses they suffered 
while in discharge of this duty. 

The 108th Trench Mortar Battery, although placed in most advanced positions, always carried 
out its mission, even though, as in one case, three of its four officers were wounded. 

The Brigade Staff never ceased to devote all its energy to the many and difficult tasks allotted 
to it. Working at one period day and night without protection from an almost continuous shell 
fire, it supplied all necessities and controlled the tactics of the brigade in a harmonious and able 
manner. 

It can surely be said of the officers and enlisted men of the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade 
that they have performed their duties and served their country conscientiously, bravely, skillfully 
and to the limit of human endurance. 

H. D. Todd, Jr., 
Brigadier General, U. S. A. 

On June 15, igig, at Camp Grant, where the command had been sent for demobilization, 
General Bell, commander of the Thirty-third Division, addressed the following letter to General 
Todd: 

Headquarters 33RD Division 
Camp Grant, Illinois 

June IS, 1919. 
Brigadier General H. D. Todd, Jr., 

Commanding 58th Field Artillery Brigade, 
Camp Grant, 111. 
My dear General: 

As your brigade is now about to be demobilized, I desire to state that the manner in which 
you trained and handled the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade, both at Camp Logan, Texas, 
and after you joined the division at Luxemburg, was more than satisfactory to me and I was 
striving for the highest efficiency. The "esprit de corps" created in the brigade, the morale, dis- 
cipline and efficiency of the personnel, left nothing to be desired, and I do not believe that there 
was a finer brigade of field artillery in the U. S. Army than your command when we started 
home from Luxemburg. 

When it left for France, it was in excellent shape to go into action on account of the 
practical experience and training obtained from an unusually large amount of field firing. 

I feel well qualified to express comparison, because, in France, I saw much field artillery, 
and while there had several brigades under my command as division commander and as acting 
corps commander; while at El Paso before the war, I also had a number of regular and national 
guard regiments of field artillery with me. 

Your regiments were not surpassed in any way by those I saw, nor by any of those I 
inspected while in the inspector-general's department, or afterwards as a general officer, and, as 
an inspector, I inspected at least half of the regular field arti'lery of the U. S. Army. 

I would not ask for higher fighting efficiency than was displayed by your brigade and at my 
last inspection in Luxemburg, it was in splendid shape to go into action and respond to any 
requirements that would be expected by any commanding general. 
I heartily congratulate you upon the results obtained. 

Sincerely yours, 

(Signed) George Bell, Jr., 
Major General, U. S. A., Commanding 33rd Division. 




REMONVILLE SEEN FROM THE SOUTH 



The 122nd Field Artillery 

Colonel Milton J. Foreman, Editor 
By Lieutenant Colonel Frank R. Schwengel 




S^* 




HEN the United States entered the World 
War in the spring of 191 7, the inten- 
sity of operations on the front in France had 
reduced the conflict to siege warfare. The 
tactical employment of cavalry seemed re- 
mote, as mounted troops could not be used 
until the whole system of enemy trenches 
had been broken. It appeared unHkely, 
therefore, that cavalry would be called upon 
for early overseas service with the Ameri- 
can forces, and there were grave suspicions 
that this branch would be relegated to Mexi- 
can "border duty" instead. 

The First Cavalry, Illinois National 
Guard, was not content with such bleak 
prospects. If there was need for troops 
overseas it was entitled to play full part in 
the theater of war, after its many years of service as a national guard regi- 
ment. It was for the purpose of insuring to the regiment the opportunity 
for early service overseas that Colonel Milton J. Foreman, the regimental 
commander, made direct appeal to the governor of Illinois and obtained 
consent to convert the organization into field artillery, the branch which 
seemed most suited to the cavalry regiment's prior training. 

The conversion from cavalry into field artillery became effective July i, 
191 7, and the regiment was officially designated the Second Field Artillery, 

539 



~.*!^*. 



540 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




COLONEL MILTON J. FOREMAN 

Commanding the 122nd Field Artillery. 



THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 



541 




THE OLD HOME OF THE FIRST CAVALRY 



Illinois National Guard. 

Numerous difficulties be- 
set the transition. True, 

the regiment had been 

trained to a high degree 

in field service, for it 

had been released from 

Mexican border service 

but a few months before. 

Its mounted training as 

cavalry, too, was useful 

for horsed artillery, but 

the theoretical, mechani- 
cal, and tactical phases 

of this arm of the service 

were little understood by 

either officers or men. 

In anticipation of the change, a school in field artillery was instituted 

June 20 at the armory in Chicago, and was continued under the regiment's 

own instructors, guided by United States artillery officers attached to the 

central department, until the regiment was called into federal service. 

Thus, in a measure, the regiment in its early stages as field artillery was 

self-educated, and the training which it received at that time facilitated its 

progress under the United States and French army artillery instructors 

assigned to it later in the training 
camp at Houston. By the detailing 
of officers and noncommissioned of- 
ficers to the established field artil- 
lery schools a comprehensive grasp 
of the subject was soon had, and 
steady improvement was shown as 
a result of unceasing theoretical 
and practical instruction which 
continued up to the very day of 
the regiment's departure for the 
front. 

The reorganization of the regi- 
ment created a surplus of personnel 
under the existing table of organi- 
zation for field artillery, and 
Troops B, D and G, stationed at 
Urbana, Springfield and Peoria, 
respectively, were made the nu- 
cleus of Illinois' third regiment of 
field artillery, later designated the 




LIEUTENANT COLONEL FRANK R. 
SCHWENGEL 



542 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



124th Field Artillery. In addition, more than 200 enlisted men were sent 
to training camps and later commissioned in the National Army. 

Pursuant to the call of the President the regiment was ordered into the 
service of the United States on July 25, 191 7. Camp was established in 
"Streeterville," opposite the regiment's new armory, then in course of con- 
struction at East Chicago Avenue and Lake Shore Drive. Unable to pro- 
cure artillery equipment, the transformed troopers constructed makeshift 
gun carriages and caissons of sheet iron, mounted on the running gear of 
wagons, and used these for drill. There were available about 200 cavalry 
horses. 

On August 16 Battery A, under command of Captain Joseph W. Mattes, 
entrained for Houston to prepare a section of Camp Logan, where the 
regiment was to receive its training as a part of the Thirty-third Division, 
under command of Major General George Bell, Jr. Only seven days later 
Captain Mattes was shot and killed in an effort to disarm negro soldier 
rioters in the city of Houston, where he had been sent to quell the disturbance. 

The rest of the regiment broke camp in Chicago and entrained for 
Camp Logan on September 7, and immediately upon its arrival there it 
began an intensive period of training, covering every phase of field service, 
with schools for officers, noncommissioned officers and privates lasting far 
into the night. Efficiency in every detail was exacted, and step by step rudi- 
mentary training progressed to firing and field problems. 

On September 21 the regiment was officially designated the 122nd Field 
Artillery and assigned to the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade. 

The eagerly awaited order for overseas service came in May, 191 8. The 
regiment then had attained a high degree of efficiency. Many of the vacancies 
in the ranks of the officers, created when selections were made from the 
regiment to complete other organizations, were filled by promotion from the 




THE BAND PLAYS IN HOUSTON 



THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 



543 




COLONEL ROBERT R. McCORMICK 

Lieutenant Colonel of the 122nd Field Artillery, later 
promoted and assigned to another regiment. 



ranks. When the regiment en- 
trained for the seaboard the latter 

part of May, the commissioned 

personnel was made up entirely of 

men who had held commissions in 

the unit in its national guard days 

or who had risen from the ranks. 
Five days after it had left 

Houston the regiment arrived at 

Camp Merritt. There, after being 

equipped with new clothing, hel- 
mets and gas masks, it boarded 

the British tramp steamer Kash- 
mir at Hoboken, on May 25, and 

on the following morning waved 

goodbye to American shores. 

Submarine dangers kept the 

ship zig-zagging over an extreme 

northerly course. There were 

numerous alarms but no actual 

attacks. On June 8 the Kashmir, 
which was one of a convoy of thir- 
teen vessels under the protection 

of the United States cruiser Charleston, reached the Irish Sea and docked at 
Liverpool. 

There was a halt of twenty-four hours in Knotty Ash, a rest camp out- 
side the big English port. The regiment then entrained for Winchester. 
After forty-eight hours of rest there the journey was continued by train to 
Southampton and thence by boat across the channel to Havre, where the 
regiment was enthusiastically received. Another forty-eight hours was spent 
at Rest Camp No. i, then the regiment entrained in French box-cars, with 
destination unknown. After two and one half days of circuitous travel by 
rail, passing through Rouen, Paris, Champigny, Lens, La Roche, Dijon and 
Besangon, the regiment arrived at Ornans on the afternoon of June 16 and 
detrained. 

This journey brought the regiment for the first time into the atmosphere 
of war. The constant movement of French troops and hospital trains, the 
assembled refugees at stations awaiting transportation, the tales which filtered 
through of reverses for the Allies, coupled with the plaint that "America comes 
too late," all created a picture of desolation and despair to men fresh in a new- 
venture. 

On the arrival at Ornans billeting areas were assigned. Regimental 
headquarters, the second battalion, and headquarters and supply companies 
were billeted in Valdahon and the first battalion at Etalans. Schools were 
immediately established to give the regiment its final training before it entered 



544 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



the battle area. The country highways and byways were scoured for horses. 
French 75 mm. guns and caissons, horse equipment and wagons arrived. In 
eight weeks the regiment was schooled, equipped, inspected and declared fit 
for the fight. 

On August 21 the 122nd moved off to the front and two days later it 
arrived at Pagny-sur-Meuse. At last it was in the battle zone. Under cover 
of darkness the regiment moved on for about twenty miles into the great 
French national forest, de la Reine, and awaited orders to take up its position 
on the line. 

Organization commanders and assignments of batteries upon entry of 
the regiment into the line, assignments which continued until the close of 
operations, were as follows: 

HEADQUARTERS 

Colonel Milton J. Foreman, commanding. 
Headquarters Company — Captain Kent A. Hunter. 
Supply Company — Captain Rupert Donovan. 
Medical Corps — Major Edmund T, Douglas. 

FIRST BATTALION 

Major Frank R. Schwengel, com- 
manding. 

Captain Frank O. Wood, adjutant. 

Battery A — First Lieutenant William 
G. Rosier. 

Battery B — Captain Leon E. Cutter. 

Battery C— Captain Robert E. Myhr- 



SECOND BATTALION 

Major Leroy E. Nelson, commanding. 

Captain S. T, Slawitsky, adjutant. 

Battery D — Captain Jewett D. Mat- 
thews. 

Battery E — Captain George M. Hep- 
pie. 

Battery F — Captain Harry Hill. 



man. 




ONE OF THE BATTERY POSITIONS AT RAMBUCOURT 



THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 



545 




On August 25 the 
first battalion took up 
a position with the 
French field artillery at 
Rambucourt opposite 
Mont Sec, forming 
Group U of the Toul de- 
fensive sector, reporting 
for duty to Colonel De 
Chaunac of the French 
army. In addition to its 
75's there were assigned 
to the battalion two bat- 
teries of French 90 mm, 
guns. 

An observing sta- 
tion was established in a partly demolished building in Rambucourt, a for- 
ward station at Xivray, and a lateral station north of Bouconville. Animated 
interdiction and harassing fire was directed upon Richecourt, Mont Sec, cross- 
roads, strong-points and assembly points, in addition to the fleeting targets 
reported by terrestrial and French aerial observers. Sergeant Earle Nessler, 
Battery C, was the first casualty, being seriously wounded on September 4, 

The second battalion moved into position on September 7, Activity all 
along the line bespoke an offensive of magnitude. Enemy observation became 
more alert, and as a result movements were confined to hours of darkness. 
The stage was being set for the reduction of the St, Mihiel salient, which so 
defiantly had held its own for four years. In fact, since 191 5 no serious at- 
tempt to reduce the salient had been made. 



CAMOUFLAGED GUN PIT AT RAMBUCOURT 



BOIS OE LA UERE 
BUXERULLES 
MAUTS DE MEUSE: ' 

iOO I 200 



HILL 380 LETOMBOIS 

M0NT5EC STEEPLt OBS tower 
OR 9 ' 1"^'J 



VIGNEULLES iBOIS LIEHRE I 



f-ISs, Vr^:.^ff-^0iA::^,:^^^^ 



Sketch from 0.T.21. 
September 8, 1Q18 
Private Irwin Myers Observer 
1st Battalion 12 2 F.A, 



LOOKING TOWARD MONT SEC FROM THE i22Nds POSITIONS 



546 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




MONT SEC AND THE TOWN NESTLING AT ITS BASE 

On the night of September ii, in a drizzling rain, the infantry stealthily 
crept forward to take up positions. Artillery telephone lines and liaison 
details were sent forward to the most advanced positions. The 122nd was 
selected to cover the Sixteenth Infantry of the First Division in the attack. 

At I a. m. of the 12th the sky over a front of twenty- four miles was 
lighted suddenly with a blood red glare, and the heavens rolled with echoes 
of the thunderous voices of hundreds of guns. The way was being paved for 
the advance of the American doughboy by the greatest concentration of 
artillery fire of the war. The preparation fire was initiated with gas concen- 
tration on the woods of 
Gargantua, Joli, Lierre 
and Burly. Until 5 
o'clock in the morning 
the incessant drumfire of 
the 75's continued, with 
interpolated crashes of 
the heavier 155's and of 
the coast defense guns in 
the rear, mounted by the 
navy and coast artillery 
men for this first all- 
American attack. 

As the sun broke 
through the clouds, at 5 
o'clock, the doughboys, 
led by baby tanks, went 
over the top, under the 
protective fire of a rolling 
ON THE SIDE OF MONT SEC artillery barrage which 

This masonry, erected by the Germans in 1914, was the advanced at the rate of 
entrance to an underground passage which led to an observation 

point on the crest of the hill. 100 meters m four mm- 




THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 



547 




THE BREAK IN THE SAINT MIHIEL SALIENT 
Infantry pouring through Richecourt on the morning of September 12. 

utes. They found broken wire, heavy concrete and steel dugouts crushed Hke 
eggshells, and line after line of broken trench works. Accompanying the 
infantry were the i2 2nd's liaison 
details, observers, telephone lines- 
men, a detail to put into action 
captured field pieces, and gun sec- 
tions from Batteries A and E. 

There was little opposition. 
The enemy, under the hail of 
metal from the artillery, had 
started north with the break of 
day. A few machine gunners, 
left behind to harass the American 
advance from pill-box emplace- 
ments, kept up a desultory fire, 
but they greeted with cries of 
"Kamerad" the first Americans 
they saw, and a stream of pris- 
oners began to flow back from 
Seicheprey, the first town reached, 
an hour after the attack began. 

"Impregnable" Mont Sec was 
reduced with scarcely a struggle, major leroy e. nelson 




548 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




THE RUINS OF LAHAYVILLE 
The crest of Mont Sec appears in the distance. 

and vast quantities of German stores of all kinds fell into American hands. 
Richecourt, Lahayville and Nonsard were taken. At 8 o'clock the infantry 
threatened to get out of range, and the 122nd moved forward and took up 
position at Richecourt. The carrying of portable bridges on its caissons en- 
abled the first battalion to cross rapidly the numerous wide trenches and 
ditches encountered. 

Night found the infantry dug in on the northern edge of Nonsard, 
about ten miles from the jumping-off line. The i2 2nd's guns were mounted 
for the night on a protective barrage line, and at dawn the next morning 
the regiment moved on again, its worn horses dragging guns and caissons 
over the shell-torn roads and deeply mired fields to a new position northwest 
of Nonsard. The infantry pushed on, taking Hattonville, Vigneulles and Billy. 

At noon on September 14 a 
junction was effected by the 
First Division with the flanking 
attack forces that had driven in 
from the east and west. The St. 
Mihiel salient had been nipped 
off. Fourteen thousand German 
prisoners had been taken, to- 
gether with immense quantities 
of guns, ammunition and equip- 
ment. 

With the completion of this 
movement the 122nd Field Artil- 
A SAMPLE OF BARBED WIRE ENTANGLE- ^^ry received Orders that were to 
MENTS BEFORE LAHAYVILLE take it into its second great ad- 



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THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 



549 



venture. On the afternoon of September 14 came orders to march north- 
west toward Verdun. It proved to be a five-night march, averaging nearly 
twenty miles a night. Horses and men became worn to the point of exhaus- 
tion, but kept on. Resting by day and marching by night to escape obser- 
vation, the regiment proceeded by way of Woinville, Apremont, Gironville, 
Sampigny, Pierrefitte, Belrain, Deuxnouds, Beauzee, Fleury and Parois, and 
took cover on September 19 in the Foret de Hesse, preparatory to the begin- 
ning of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Reconnaissance of positions was made 
below Avocourt, and guns were snaked into position under the very nose of 
the enemy on the nights of September 23 and 24. 

Again the suppressed activity presaged a great offensive. The Ameri- 
cans held a twenty-five mile line west of the Meuse. The 122nd Field 




THE VALLEY FIVE HUNDRED METERS EAST OF VERY 
Over which the Ninety-first Division advanced. 

Artillery was placed in support of the Ninety-first Division, occupying the 
central sector of the line. 

Anticipating the attack, the enemy shelled the American lines heavily, 
searching out the artillery positions, concentrating on September 25 on the 
regimental echelon. Band Leader Albert Bobene, Postal Corporal Charles 
Huber, Musician Olin C. Luther, Private Clarence Priebe, a runner, and 
Private Frank Gansloser received wounds from which they later died. That 
night the liaison details were pushed forward and communication with the 
most advanced infantry units was established. At 2 o'clock on the morning of 
the 26th the preparation fire commenced. At 5:30, the zero hour, the infan- 
try advanced and, following the rolling artillery barrage, plunged through the 
Bois de Cheppy, the Bois de Very and the Bois de Bethincourt. At dusk the 



550 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 







infantry patrols had 
reached the hills beyond 
Very. 

Resistance was bit- 
ter and the counter-fire 
of the enemy's batteries 
terrific. It was an en- 
tirely different affair 
from St. Mihiel. Added 
to the stout resistance of 
the enemy, the nature of 
the ground traversed im- 
peded the movement of 
the advancing troops. 
Alternately through dense woods and across fields open to enemy observation 
from the heights beyond, the advance continued with tireless energy. 

The first battalion had moved forward at the commencement of the at- 
tack, following the infantry closely. Coming abruptly to the first German 
trenches, it was delayed until it bridged the wide gap, then pressed on to Very, 
where it was forced to drop trails and reply to the enemy's batteries at short 
range. The second battalion completed the barrage, then moved out rapidly, 
taking position at the edge of the Bois de Very. 

The counter-battery fire of the enemy told heavily here. Direct hits, 
which registered on teams and caissons, marked the precision of their fire. 
Private Howard J. Wilhelm, Battery A; Private Edward F. Behn, Battery 



A GERMAN SIGN IN THE BOIS DE CHEPPY 











IN DEATH VALLEY: THE ENEMY CROCUDILE TRENCH 
Position occupied by batteries of the 122nd Field Artillery below Epinonville. 



THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 



551 



"* '*^^.,t_ 




THE PLANK ROAD IN DEATH VALLEY 



B; Private Clifford Schaffner, Medical Department; Private Edward J. 
Byron, Battery E; and Private Mederic Cagnon of the French Army, attached 
to the regiment, were killed in action. Many others were gassed or wounded. 

In a forward position near Epinonville, while serving as artillery ob- 
server. Lieutenant Latimer Johns of Battery D was killed. The Distinguished 
Service Cross was awarded to him posthumously for his fearlessness in 
action. 

The fighting became desperate. The enemy was forced to hold at all 
costs in order to protect his main line of supplies, running east and west from 
Metz to Sedan, and barely twenty miles beyond the advancing American 
line. Each day saw a forward push of a kilometer, sometimes two. On 
September 29 the 122nd advanced again, this time to a line just south of 
Epinonville. The advance infantry lines were but one and one-half miles 
ahead, below the town of Gesnes. 

An enemy airplane raid made on the regiment's position in Death 
Valley on October 2 caused many casualties. As no anti-aircraft guns were 
available, the enemy planes were finally driven away by the fire of the ma- 
chine gun sections of the batteries. Color Sergeant Leslie Delihant, Head- 
quarters Company, and Private Charles A. Krueger, Battery D, were killed, 
and a dozen others were seriously wounded in the bombing. Wagoner Andrew 
Cina, Supply Company, and First Class Privates Fred W. Hollman and 
Charles Porter, Battery A, were killed by shell fire at the gun positions. 

On the night of October 4 the Thirty-second Division relieved the 
Ninety-first Division, but the 122nd Regiment continued on the line in sup- 



552 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



port of the fresh divi- 
sion. The infantry con- 
tinued to advance a few 
hundred yards a day. 
There was no general at- 
tack for several days, 
while the divisions on the 
flanks were coming up to 
the line established by 
the Ninety-first. 

INIontfaucon, to the 
right, had been a thorn 
in the side of the infan- 
try, holding up the ad- 
vance for several days, 
but was finally taken, 
with heavy losses. Jn 
the meantime, the Cote 
de Dame Marie, a cliff- 
sided hill north of 
Gesnes, was a stumbling 
block for the Thirty-sec- 
ond. A heavy line of 
trenches, the base work 
of the Kriemhilde Stel- 
lutig, ran along its crest. 
At I a. m., October 8, intensive destructive fire was directed upon hostile 
trench lines, wire, machine gun and trench mortar emplacements, and strong- 
points that previously had been charted. 

During the night of October 8-9 the destructive fire of the artillery 
ceased, and harassing and interdiction fire was substituted, with high explo- 
sive and gas shells concentrated upon the Transvaal Farm and upon assembly 
points, crossroads and communication points. 

The attack of the Thirty-second Division on the Bois de Valoup, the 
Tranchee de Dantrise and the Tranchee de la Mamelle, with the heights 
north of Romagne as the objective, commenced at daybreak October 9, 
preceded by covering fire upon successive targets, and a rolling barrage 
advancing at the rate of 100 meters every six minutes. On October 10 the 
objective was taken and held. 

The night of October 11 the entire Fifty-eighth Brigade was relieved 
by the Fifty-seventh Field Artillery Brigade and ordered to Jubecourt, about 
twelve miles to the rear, for reequipment and replacements of men and 
horses. The regiment remained at Jubecourt until October 24 when it 
returned to the lines, the first battalion taking up position at Romagne and 
the second at Gesnes. Regimental headquarters were established at the 




THE CHURCH .^T ROMAGNE ON FIRE 

A German shell had just struck the steeple, setting it afire, on 

October 29, 1918. 



THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 



553 



Transvaal Farm, which lay midway between the two towns. Here the regi- 
ment took up a defensive position, well advanced, expecting momentarily the 
continuation of the drive. The enemy searched out the battery positions 
during the day, and at nightfall drenched the areas with gas, to which the 
regiment in turn responded energetically with high explosives and gas on the 
woods of I'Epasse, Hazois, and Bantheville and La Dhuy and La Tuillerie 
Farms. 

The new drive, for which the Americans had been making extensive 
preparations and which inaugurated the third phase of the Meuse-Argonne 
offensive, was launched at daybreak on November i. After two hours of 
preparation fire, beginning at 3:30 a. m,, the barrage crashed down, and the 
Infantry went over. 

In this operation the 122nd regiment was in direct support of the 177th 
Brigade of the Eighty-ninth Division. With guns of Battery B accompany- 
ing the leading units of infantry the entire regiment followed soon after and 
pressed on beyond La Dhuy Farm, where position was taken up and the 
rolling barrage continued. 

Obstinate resistance was encountered here, and a heavy counter-bar- 
rage was silenced. Though fatigued from the twenty-four hours of firing 
and advancing, the regiment moved forward beyond Remonville during the 
night, and fired a barrage at daybreak of November 2 to clear the way for 
the intrepid infantry, which pressed through Barricourt and Nouart during 
the day. 

November 3 carried the regiment beyond Nouart. In another night 
march on November 4, over the open ground below the heights of the Meuse, 




A BALLOON OBSERVATION POST ON THE ROAD BETWEEN BANTHEVILLE AND 

REMONVILLE 



554 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




MAJOR HAROLD P. GOODNOW 

Who assumed command of the first battalion 
after Major Schwengd was promoted to lieuten- 
ant colonel. 



the regiment advanced to Beauclair, 
while Laneuville and Stenay were still 
in the hands of the enemy. 

The advantage of the enemy's 
positions here was clear. The heights 
of the Meuse commanded the flat, 
marshy, flooded areas over which the 
attack was made. The infantry, in 
open order, advanced rapidly, but 
numerous obstacles, well conceived by 
the enemy, handicapped the advance 
of the artillery. The regiment was 
ordered to the left flank of the divi- 
sion sector, which course was due 
north of its position at Beauclair. The 
only road available early in the morn- 
ing of November 5 was the Beauclair- 
Laneuville-Beaumont road, which 
upon reconnaissance was found im- 
passable because of demolished 
bridges. 

While the second battalion con- 
tinued its fire the first battalion moved 
forward across the open fields in a frantic effort to fulfill its mission. Onward 
trudged the weary horses, dragging the guns and heavily loaded caissons, and 
mercifully assisted by tired cannoneers and drivers. Hub deep in mud, with 
from eight to twelve horses tugging frantically at each of the carriages, the 
column moved across the marshes and through the deeply mired fire paths 
of the Foret de Dieulet to the Ferme de la Fontaine-aux-Fresnes. 

On the following 
day the second battalion 
moved over the Beau- 
clair - Laneuville - Beau- 
mont road, under pitiless 
enemy fire, but reached 
the new position with 
minor losses. 

From then on until 
the moment of the armi- 
stice the regiment fired an 
average of 6,000 rounds 
daily on Pouilly, Autre- 
ville, LaVignette, and St. 
Remy farms and the 
heights on the east bank the flooded meuse at stenay 




THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 555 

of the Meuse. Harassing and interdiction fire in spasmodic bursts was di- 
rected upon crossroads and assembly points. The "S" curve of the Meuse 
below Autreville, along the east banks of which ran the enemy's lines, and the 
visibility of night firing from the heights beyond laid open the artillery posi- 
tions to nearly ninety degrees of counter-artillery fire. 

On the night of November 10 orders were received to cover the advance 
of the 178th Infantry Brigade across the Meuse to its objective beyond Autre- 
ville. The attack was to be a general one all along the line. There was no 
inkling of the armistice which became effective the day following. 

Infantry patrols crossed at Pouilly, Inor and Martincourt at dusk. The 
infantry started to ferry across the river in flat-bottom boats at 8 p. m. At 
9:30 the artillery opened, and the infantry continued its advance under the 
protective fire of a rolling barrage with progressive C. P. O. fire directed 
upon previously charted machine gun, trench mortar and artillery emplace- 
ments and strong-points. Counter-battery fire somewhat reduced the fire of 
the enemy batteries, but with the coming of dawn an animated artillery duel 
was still in full play, continuing until 11 o'clock, the armistice hour. The 
attacking infantry reached its objective with but minor casualties, except to 
its liaison battalion, which suffered heavily. 

Promptly at 11 all firing ceased. Deathlike stillness prevailed. The 
guns still projected their tubes defiantly toward the enemy, but the muzzles 
were covered and caisson doors were closed. Cannoneers lay sprawled under 
the heavens in much-needed sleep, while drivers led their worn horses from 
the damp, cold woods into the open to graze. From an overcast sky emerged 



GERMAN M.G, NESTS 



^^ •^ [■ naW ' '-• ■" ' ■ . -- I -_. ....»:^.-.T-,^ 




PanoraTTMC Sketch POUILLY 

Froml^' Battalion 122 EA, Observation Po.st W040'4.5 

Drciwn by Observer Irvvm Kvi2rs 

No\-eiTiber,l 0.1918 



PANORAMIC SKETCH OF POUILLY AS SEEN FROM THE OBSERVATION POST OF 

THE FIRST BATTALION 



556 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




HEADQUARTERS GROUP 

Left to right: Chaplain Edward C. Rice, Lieutenant Colonel Frank R. Schwengel, Colonel Milton J. 

Foreman, Lieutenant Keith Richardson, Captain Lawrence V. Regan. 



the warming rays of the sun, mercifully drying drenched clothing and equip- 
ment. 

The armistice brought no cheering on the line, no wild scenes of enthu- 
siasm. Methodically men emerged from the mud, which had become the 
bane of their existence, cleaned up themselves, the horses and guns, and 
moved again freely in the open without dread of overhead detection. All 
precautions were taken in anticipation of the renewal of hostilities, but sub- 
consciously it was felt that the enemy was beaten into lasting submission. 

In the advance from Romagne to the final position, Private Harry T. 
Price, Headquarters Company; Private John A, Eaton, Battery D; and 
Private Leon W. Smittle, Battery F, were killed, and Corporal Adna H. 
Bowen, Battery B, was fatally wounded. The last casualty of the regiment 
on the line was Private George F. Hadd, Battery E, who was wounded by 
a shell fragment a few minutes before the armistice became effective. 

On November 14 the regiment was ordered to advance into Germany 
with the Army of Occupation, but while it was on the road orders were 
changed and it was directed to billet at Laneuville and transfer its horses and 
harness to the Second Artillery Brigade. The guns were parked at the rail- 
head in Dun-sur-Meuse. 

Early in December the regiment moved to Saulmory, and the Fifty-eighth 
Artillery Brigade was attached to the Seventy-ninth Division for administra- 
tive purposes. Christmas and New Year's were spent in billets at Stenay, 
the German Crown Prince's former headquarters. 



558 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




OFFICERS OF THE FIRST BATTALION 

Seated: Captain William G. Rosier, Captain William H. Neblett, Major Harold P. Goodnow, 
Captain Robert E. Myhrman. 

Standing: Lieutenant August Unfug, Lieutenant L. A. Hicks, Lieutenant S. K. Jones, Lieu- 
tenant Joseph F. Skeehan, Captain John W. McCarthy, Lieutenant Joseph W. Hartman, Captain 
Leon E. Cutter, Lieutenant E. J. DeWitt, Lieutenant John L. Anderson, Lieutenant Ralph J. 
Syfan, Lieutenant Frank Pickell, Lieutenant Herman H. Harder. 



On December 20 the regiment was supplied with a thousand American 
horses, and with harness and wagons, which had just arrived from the United 
States. Throughout the war operations French horses, guns and wagons had 
been used. 

The materiel stored at the railhead in Dun-sur-Meuse was withdrawn, 
and the regiment was ordered to march overland to join the Thirty-third 
Division, in the Army of Occupation in Luxemburg. On January 6, 1919, 
the regiment moved from Stenay and, after a three-day march by way of 
Dampicourt, Virton and Arlon, was assigned to billets in Bissen, Colmar- 
Berg and Boevange in the Duchy of Luxemburg. 

Regular drills, schools, and maneuvers were resumed. The practical 
lessons of the war were applied, and no effort was spared to keep the organiza- 
tions in fighting shape. Winter elements were no bar to incessant working 
out of field problems. 

The regiment entered the various horse and vehicle competitive inspec- 
tions and exhibitions with enthusiasm and gained some degree of supremacy. 
It won the Major General George Bell, Jr., trophy, the highest award at the 
Thirty-third Division horse show. In the Sixth Army Corps horse show, held 
in Luxemburg City, it won the greatest number of ribbons of any regiment 
in the corps, and at the Third Army horse show at Coblenz, it again dis- 
tinguished itself by its array of horses and vehicles. 



THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 



559 




OFFICERS OF THE SECOND BATTALION 

Seated: Captain Clyde L. Savage, Captain George M. Hepple, Major Leroy E. Nelson, 
Captain Harry Hill. 

Standing: Lieutenant E. P. Deutsch, Lieutenant Leslie S. Tice, Lieutenant Loyal P. Bailey, 
Lieutenant George R. Weeks, Lieutenant Henry V. Burgee, Captain Charles A. Plamondon, Lieu- 
tenant Harper M. Moulton, Captain Samuel T. Slawitsky, Lieutenant William J. Clark, Lieutenant 
Charles J. O'Neill, Lieutenant Edward D. Hicks, Jr., Lieutenant Donald R. Gooding. 



In the spring came orders for the homeward trip. On April 29 the 
regiment entrained for the seaboard and it arrived at Camp Pontanezen near 
Brest on INIay 3. Awaiting transport, the regiment did not board ship until 
May 15 and then was assigned to the America. After an uneventful sea voy- 
age of ten days the Goddess of Liberty was joyfully sighted. 

Nine days of waiting followed at Camp Mills, before entrainment for 
Chicago, where the regiment paraded in a most enthusiastic home-coming 
on June 5. Entraining again, the regiment was sent to Camp Grant, where 
it was formally discharged on June 8, 1919. 

The i2 2nd's record of overseas service is briefly summarized in the cita- 
tions, commendatory letters and award of decorations to the regiment and its 
members. Colonel Foreman received the Distinguished Service Medal, and 
fifteen officers and men were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. 
Eighty-eight officers and men were cited in orders by General Pershing, two 
hundred and one names were placed on the Thirty-third Division honor 
roll, and ninety-one were cited by Brigadier General Todd, commanding the 
Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade. Nine regimental citations were given 
the regiment by corps commanders, and division and brigade commanders of 
the First, Thirty-second and Eighty-ninth Divisions. 

In addition to the formal citations, which are reproduced elsewhere, com- 
mendation was given the regiment in several letters received by Colonel Fore- 



56o 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




OFFICERS OF HEADQUARTERS AND SUPPLY COMPANY 
Seated: Lieutenant Roger K. Eastman, Captain Rupert D. Donovan, Captain Kent A. Hunter, 

Lieutenant Ewing W. Stephens. 

Standing: Lieutenants Safford Quintard, C. H. Doehling, Daniel E. Schueren, Paul H. Rogers, 

Michael J. Cherry, F. J. Downing, Elmer D. Calvin, Arthur S. Patrick, Lucius M. Sargent. 



man from officers of the divisions which the 122nd supported. Major Gen- 
eral Wilham Wright, who commanded the Eighty-ninth Division at the be- 
ginning of the last phase of the Argonne-Meuse offensive, wrote as follows: 

"I want to write you a letter to express my appreciation of your services 
during our drive from Bantheville Woods to the Meuse. The spirit and desire 
to cooperate in every way of your regiment was excellent, and its shooting 
also very good. The assistance you rendered us was greatly appreciated by 
me and by the infantry of the Eighty-ninth Division. It was a very critical 
situation, changing artillery in the midst of the battle, and the high coopera- 
tion of your officers and men did much to help out." 

Colonel John C. H. Lee, General Staff, Chief of Staff, Eighty-ninth Divi- 
sion, wrote to Colonel Foreman: 

*T shall never forget the excellent support which your artillery gave this 
division in the drive of November i. Nor shall I forget on November 2 how 
I visited your post of command at Remonville, and the many conversations 
we had that day either personally or over the wire, and how your batteries 
looked on the side of the hill. After each conversation with you that day 
I had a feeling of cheerfulness. We knew that the thing would finally go 
through and it did." 

Brigadier General Herman Hall, commanding the 178th Brigade, Eighty- 
ninth Division, covered by the regiment in the armistice drive November 10- 
II, wrote the following commendatory letter: 



THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 



561 




MEDICAL OFFICERS OF THE REGIMENT 
Seated: Captain Robert G. Carper, Captain Erwin S. Hottinger, Major Edmund T. Douglas, 
Captain James F. Musser. 

Standing: Captain Victor Y. Coulter, Lieutenant Raymond C. Coulson. 

"The service rendered by the 'Foreman Group/ consisting of the 122nd 
Field Artillery and one battalion of the 124th Field Artillery, was most val- 
uable and efficient. Teamwork between the artillery and infantry was all 
that could be desired. The liaison work rendered by Lieutenant Colonel 
Frank R. Schwengel was especially commendable; he was at all times willing, 
efficient and energetic. Forcing a crossing of the Meuse by the infantry could 
not have been so successfully accomplished without the artillery support." 

In the operatiorfs of the war the 122nd served successively with the 
French, and with the First, Ninety-first, Thirty-second, and Eighty-ninth 
American Divisions. The infantry it covered, during the periods of the 
offensives, advanced a total of forty miles. The regiment's total losses were 
twenty-five officers and men killed or died of wounds and seventy-four 
wounded in action. 

With such a record of valor and sacrifice the bright red standard of the 
122nd Field Artillery, frayed and torn, was at last, back in Illinois, reverently 
encased with the orange colors of the First Cavalry, which was its forbear. 




S62 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 12 2nd FIELD ARTILLERY WHO WERE KILLED IN 
ACTION, DIED OF WOUNDS OR DIED OF DISEASE OVERSEAS 



Second Lieutenant 

Latimer A. Johns 

Band Leader 

Albert Bobene 

Color Sergeant 

Leslie E. Delihant 

Corporals 

Charles A. Huber 
Adna H. Bowen, Jr. 

Musician 

Olin C. Luther 

Wagoner 

Andrew Cina 

Privates, First Class 
Frank A. Gansloser 
Fred W. Hollman 



Robert A. Houlihan 
Charles Porter 
Frank H. Storms 

Privates 

Dewey Anderson 
George Anderson 
Robert O. Barnes 
Edward F. Behn 
Edward J. Byron 
John A. Eaton 
Charles A. Krueger 
Hugh J. McQuaid 
Harry T. Price 
Clarence A. Priebe 
Clifford L. Schaffner 
Leon W. Smittle 
Howard J. Wilhelm 
Stanley Zalinkowski 



DECORATIONS RECEIVED BY OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 12 2nd FIELD ARTILLERY 



Colonel 

Milton J. Foreman 

Distinguished Service Medal 

Captain 

Robert E. Myhrman 

Distinguished Service Cross 

First Lieutenants 

Latimer A. Johns 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Harold A. Wascher 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Second Lieutenants 

Dan E. Scheuren, Jr. 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Charles K. Templeton 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Corporals 

Gordon V. Kellogg 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Augustine C. Kelly 

Distinguished Service Cross 



Irwin Myers 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Harold D. Red 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Sergeants 

George E. Clark 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Charles Hickok 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Frank P. Prete 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Privates, First Class 

George H. Burchill 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Harvey M. Hopp 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Privates 

Frank W. Ryan 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre 
Medaille Militaire 



THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 



563 




WINNERS OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 
Top row: Lieutenant L. A. Johns, Lieutenant Dan E. Schueren, Jr., Corporal G. V. Kellogg. 
Second row: Corporal A. C. Kelly, Corporal Irwin Myers, Sergeant George E. Clark. 
Bottom row: Sergeant Charles Hickok, Sergeant Frank Prete, First Class Private Harvey Hopp. 



564 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




CITATIONS FOR THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 

Captain Robert E. Myhrman: 

Near Very, September 26, 1918, while his battery 
position was being heavily shelled, Captain Myhrman re- 
mained constantly with his men, ordering them to safety 
and caring for a wounded man. After his battery had 
been placed in position, he conducted his own recon- 
naissance and prepared his own firing data with no re- 
gard to the danger to which he was exposed from heavy 
shell fire. 

First Lieutenant Latimer A. Johns (deceased): 

Near Gesnes, September 13, IQ18, Lieutenant Johns 
was in command of a platoon supporting an assaulting 
battalion of infantry. During the attack he went far 
ahead of the infantry to establish an observation post, 
where he directed tire from his guns, thereby rendering 
valuable assistance to the advancing battalion. He went 
through a heavy barrage and enfilading machine gun 
fire, but when returning to his post he was killed. 

Second Lieutenant Dan E. Schueren, Jr.: 
CAPTAIN ROBERT E. MYHRMAN Near Barricourt, November i, 1918, Lieutenant 

Schueren, then a sergeant, acting as liaison agent with 
an assaulting infantry battalion, took command on his 
own initiative, of a platoon of infantry when its commander was wounded. He ordered the 
advance resumed, and under his leadership machine gun nests that threatened to hold up the 
advance of the entire battalion were flanked and silenced. He showed marked bravery, con- 
stantly inspiring his men. 

Second Lieutenant Charles K. Templeton: 

Near Nouart, November 5, 1918, after telephone communications had been destroj'ed and 
his runners scattered on their missions Lieutenant Templeton started on a mission of extreme 
importance from the infantry to the artillery. His path lay through heavy machine gun and 
shell fire, and before he reached his destination he was severely wounded. He succeeded, how- 
ever, in relaying his message to its destination. 

Second Lieutenant (later First Lieutenant) Harold A. Wascher: 

Near Nouart, November 5, 1918, Lieutenant Wascher, while commanding an observation 
party, established a post well in advance of the infantry and, despite severe fire, set up and 
maintained telephone communications. He was severely wounded. 

Corporal Gordon V . Kellogg, Headquarters Battery A : 

Near Bois de Bantheville, October 30, 1918, Corporal Kellogg, having been sent on a recon- 
naissance, reached the enemy's lines and returned with information of great value. 

Corporal Augustine C. Kelly, Battery B: 

Near Bantheville, October 29, 1918, Corporal Kelly voluntarily proceeded to a point within 
150 meters of the enemy, where he remained more than an hour obtaining valuable information. 
All this time he was subjected to severe shell, machine gun and sniper fire, being wounded by 
a shell when returning. 

Corporal Irwin Myers, Headquarters Company: 

Near Romagne, October 30, 1918, facing heavy machine gun and artillery fire. Corporal 
Myers crawled beyond the infantry front lines to a crest overlooking the enemy's position. 
Working under continuous fire he made a panoramic sketch of hostile positions, which proved 
to be of great value in directing our artillery fire. 

Corporal Harold D. Red, Headquarters, Battery A : 

Near Bois de Bantheville, October 30, 1918, Corporal Red, under heavy shell fire, crawled 
200 meters to a shell hole to draw a sketch of the enemy's position. 



THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 565 

Sergeant George E. Clark, Battery D: 

Near Epinonville, October 2, 1918, when his battery echelon was bombed, Sergeant Clark 
with great courage and presence of mind conducted his men to shelter and then took charge of 
rescuing and treating the wounded, until he was himself severely wounded by an exploding 
bomb, the amputation of one of his arms being necessary. 

Sergeant Charles Hickok, Headquarters Company: 

Near Verdun, November i, 1918, Sergeant Hickok commanding an artillery liaison detail, 
succeeded in laying a telephone line through a heavy barrage and opening up communication 
between infantry and artillery. Just as he reached a point where his line was connected with 
the infantry he was severely wounded. 

Sergeant Frank P. Prete, Battery B: 

In action near Bantheville, November i, 1918, Sergeant Prete three times passed through 
a heavy barrage and machine gun fire v.^hile guiding a combat train forward to an advanced 
artillery platoon. 

Private (First-Class) George H. Burchill, Battery C: 

Near Very, September 26, 1918, Private Burchill, though suffering from illness, volunteered 
and performed valiant service as a telephone operator under heavy shell fire. Later he went 
outs alone through shell fire to repair the telephone line. 

Private (First-Class) Harvey M. Hopp, Battery C: 

Near Romagne, October 20, 1918, under fire from artillery, machine guns and snipers, 
Private Hopp crawled out in the open to within fifty meters of a hostile position, remained 
there several hours, and returned with valuable information concerning the enemy's movements. 

Private Frank W. Ryan, Headquarters Company: 

Near Nouart, November 1-9, 1918, maintaining a telephone line three kilometers (about 
two miles) long over a period of eight days, Private Ryan was under a terrific bombardment 
during the whole period, keeping communication under circumstances which called for the 
greatest courage and determination. He had no relief, and was at one time without rations 
forty-eight hours. 

OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 12 2nd FIELD ARTILLERY WHO WERE CITED FOR 
GALLANTRY BY GENERAL PERSHING AND GENERAL BELL 

1 Received citations both from General Bell and General Pershing. 
* Received citation only from General Pershing. 
All others received citations only from General Bell. 

Colonel t Edward F. Rice 

t Milton J. Foreman t William G. Rosier 

t Clyde L. Savage 

Lieutenant Colonel t Oscar N. Schjerven 

t Frank R. Schwengel Samuel T. Slawitsky 

t Frank O. Wood 
Major 

Harold P. Goodnow First Lieutenants 

t Leroy E. Nelson John L. Anderson 

William J. Clark 

Captains t Roger K. Eastman 

Leon E. Cutter Kenneth W. Glenn 

t Marshall Field Herman H. Harder 

t George M. Hepple Ward R. Imes 

t Harry Hill Sidney K. Jones 

t Kent A. Hunter t Robert E. Pennell 

John W. McCarthy t Keith K. Richardson 

t William H. Neblett * James A. Rollins 

t Charles A. Plamondon Ewing W. Stephens 

t Lawrence V. Regan t Thomas Van Alyea 



566 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Second Lieutenant 
Allan V. Arragon 
Henry V. Burgee 
Albert G. Miller 

Battalion Sergeant Major 
Robert C. Gardner 
Harold H. Williams 

First Sergeants 

t Lindsay Fairweather 
Albert H. Gastreich 

t Arthur B. Giesen 
William Gillam 
Norman D. Hooker 

t Arthur H. Hurlock 

t Fred Krumpeck 

t Harry A. Sullivan 

Colonel Sergeant 

Walter E. Horner 

Sergeants 

t Burton O. Bidwell 

Henry H. Buchim 

Elmer Churchill 
t George E. Clarke 

James Clegg 

George E. Col well 

* Harry G. Duntemann 
Thomas A. Fisk 
George Fyfe 

Waldo P. Fuller 

Henry Gadski 
t Brice C. Henderson 

Edwin J. Henderson 
t Dean R. Herringshaw 

Anton N. Jensen 
t Morris P. Jones 

Richard L. Kapsa 

John B. Kelly 

Owen J. Lee 
t Vernon F. Leesch 

Harvey F. Long 

Harry G. Lunteman 

Clark H. Lynn 

John R. Maderia 

* George R. McCarney 
Howard P. McDonald 
Arthur McEvans 
Arthur R, Miller 
Charles A. Mohr 

t Roy H. Morris 
Grover D. Motherwell 
Earle Nessler 
Daniel F. Parker 
Carl C. Phelps 
William T. Seaborn 
Warren P. Sherman 
Edward B. Spearing 
Penno Storm 



Raymond Tilley 
tLeland G. Wesley 
William B. Winter 

Corporals 

Boris Antin 
Karl H. Anderson 
Bennie Anderson 
Raymond P. Batsinger 
Spencer W. Beehmer 

t Harry Bertessa 
Franklin L. Bishop 
Adna H. Bowen 
Donald H. Brownlee 
Thomas W. Butler 
Lawrence N. Clausen 
John V. Cowling 
John P. Crowley 

t Leo J. Donovan 
Charles W. Duffey 

t Aubrey C. Flood 
Don Glasel 
Orville C. Green 
Carl Grotnes 

fFred Hatch 
Sam H. Harris 
Irwin A. Holtz 

t Frank I. Johnson 
J. Raymond Knighton 
Edgar R. Lawton 
Frank L. Lupe 
Daniel B. Martin 
Duncan R. McVicker 
Walter W. Moore 

t Raymond J. O'Leary 
Leon J. O'Reilly 
Larry Parsons 
Harry Price 

t Harold F. Rapp 
Clinton L. Rice 
Henry E. Stefan 
Richard J. Styles 
Caspar Swenholt 
Thomas G. Wheeler 
Richard G. Whipple 
Edward A. White 
Edward J. Young 

Chief Mechanics 
Paul Auringer 
Alf Nelson 
John P. O'Ryan 
John T. Reiliey 
Andrew B. Weyer 

Sadler 

t James H. Brown 
John M. Sabin 

Cook 

Robert Burns 
Fred R. Dockstader 



THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 



567 



Horseshoer 

James J. Maloney 

Privates, First Class 
Thomas F. Airth 
Waldemar H. Alexander 
Oscar W. Barnett 
Peter P. Bobroske 
Fred Dalkenberg 
Clinton W. Favinger 
Alexander F. Foley 
John D. Foraciari 
Joseph Galvin 
Herbert Gustafson 
Paul Hagerty 
Edgar S. Irwin 
Elmer R. Johnson 
Bert T. Juberg 
t Robert J. Kay 
Frederic R. King 
William M. Kirchoff 
Willard K. Lasher 
William Lobdell 
Joseph A. Lyman 
Frederick R. McMurray 
Patrick A. O'Hern 
James P. Phillips 
Harry V. Pond 
William Ruehl 
Harold F. Scott 
David Smart 
Alfred R. Waldpole 
Charles Williams 
Louis Woldman 

Privates 

Wilbur Beeler 
Doar G. Bell 



Louis Bergman 
John W. Burlingame 
Jacob Burrer 
Stearns Burrows 
Thomas J. Carmody 

t Herman B. Cohen 
Edward Conners 
Michael J. Coyne 
Raymond J. Crowley 
Oliver Fahrenbach 
George F. Hadd 
Karl A. Kessenich 
Arthur Koffman 
William Ledwell 
Harry Deter 
Richard Lye 
Otto C. Mallock 
Floyd Martin 
Patrick McEnasney 
Michael McHall 
Samuel H, McKee 
Douglas Merry 
Walter E. Minol 
Birger F. Myholm 

t Marvin G. Paulsen 
Theodore Pritiken 
Arthur Sallitt 
Victor D. Summer 
Harry L. Titus 
Raymond Walsh 
Athur F. Walters 

* Richard G. Whipple 
Glenn H. Winters 
John F. Zegermacher 



OFFICERS OF 122ND FIELD ARTILLERY DURING PERIOD OF COMBAT SERVICE 



Colonel 

Milton J. Foreman 

Lieutenant Colonel 

Frank R. Schwengel 

Majors 

Harold P. Goodnow 
Leroy E. Nelson 

Captains 

Leon E. Cutter 
Rupert D. Donovan 
Marshall Field 
George M. Hepple 
Harry Hill 
Kent A. Hunter 
John W. McCarthy 
Jewett D. Matthews 
Robert E. Myhrman 
William H. Neblett 



Charles A. Plamondon 
Lawrence V. Regan 
Edward F. Rice, Chaplain 
William G. Rosier 
Clyde L. Savage 
Oscar N. Schjerven 
Samuel T. Slawitsky 
Frank O. Wood 

First Lieutenants 

John L. Anderson 

Michael J. Cherry 

William J. Clark 

Roger K. Eastman 

Kenneth W. Glenn 

Herman H. Harder 

Don M. Hawley 

Sydney K. Jones 

Latimer A. Johns (deceased) 

George E. McEvers (later Captain) 

Frank J. McNeil 



568 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Robert E. Pennell 
Keith K. Richardson 
James A. Rohins 
Howard M. Savage, V. C. 
Joseph P. Skeehan 
Ewing W. Stephens 
Ralph J. Syfan 
Thomas Van Alyea 
Harold A. Wascher 
George R. Weeks 

Second Lieutenants 

Knowlton L. Ames 
Loyal P. Bailey 
Henry V. Burgee 
Elmer D. Calvin 
E. P. Deutsch 
Elmore J. DeWitt 
Carl H. Doehling 
Francis J. Downing 
Donald R. Gooding 
Jacob W. Hartman 
Edward D. Hicks. Jr. 



Leslie A. Hicks 
Albert G. Miller 
Harper M. Moulton 
Charles J. O'Neil 
Arthur S. Patrick 
Frank Pickell 
Safford Quintard 
Paul H. Rogers 
Lucius M. Sargent 
Dan E. Scheuren, Jr. 
John Sherman 
Charles K. Templeton 
Leslie S. Tice 
August Unfug 

Medical Corps, Attached 

Major Edmund T. Douglas, M. C. 
Captain James F. Musser, M. C. 
Captain Erwin S. Hottinger, M. C. 
Captain Robert G. Carper, D. C. 
Captain Victor Y. Coulter, D. C. 
First Lieutenant Raymond C. Coulson, 
V. C. 



OFFICERS WHO SERVED WITH REGIMENT BUT NOT DURING COMBAT SERVICE 



Lieutenant Colonels 

Walter J. Fisher (later commanding loSth 

Ammunition Train) 
Robert R. McCormick (later Colonel, 

Field Artillery) 
Wallace H. Whigam 

Majors 

Harry D. Orr (later Colonel, loSth Sani- 
tary Train) 

Captains 

J. Leland Bass (later Major, Q. M. C.) 

Franklin Dean (later Major) 

George E. Faugsted 

Robert J. Gay, M. C. (later Major) 

John A. Holabird (later Lieutenant Colonel, 

123rd Field Artillery) 
Joseph Mattes (deceased) 
Don M. Phelps 
Percy Shannon 
Harold Squires (later Major) 

First Lieutenants 
C. O. Anderson 
Charles Christy 
Theodore N. Fisher (later Captain) 



Edwin Fiebig 

Joseph W. Gastreich 

Ward R. Imes 

Herbert C. Lyness (later Captain) 

Robert C. Meleny 

John B. Pherigo (later Captain) 

Raymond B. Roos 

Finer V. Schjerven (later Captain) 

Second Lieutenants 

James J. Albert (later First Lieutenant) 
Charles E. Allendorf 
Allan V. Arragon 

Sigurd A. Benson (later First Lieutenant) 
Harry A. Burgerman 

William P. Delihant (later First Lieuten- 
ant) 
Frank P. Gerhardt 
John K. Houlihan 
Frederick J. Lippert 
George W. Miller 

Peter A. Miller (later First Lieutenant) 
Tom G. Milton (later First Lieutenant) 
Troy L. Parker (later Captain, A. S.) 
Maurice V. Peasley 
John E. Wolfe (later First Lieutenant) 



THE I22ND FIELD ARTILLERY 



5 ^^9 




SOME OFFICERS OF THE 122ND FIELD ARTILLERY 
Top row: Captains Marshall Field, J. D. Mathews, Joseph Mattes, Oscar N. Schjerven. 
Second Row: First Lieutenants Frank J. McNeil, Theodore N. Fisher, Robert G. Meleney. 
Third row: First Lieutenant J. B. Pherigo, Second Lieutenants J. J. Albert, C. E. Allendorf. 
Bottom row: Second Lieutenants S. A. Benson, H. A. Burgerman, F. P. Gerhardl. M. V. Peasley. 



570 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




COLONEL CHARLES G. DAVIS 
Commanding the 123rd Field Artillery. 




THE CHURCH AT GESNES 



The 123rd Field Artillery 

Colonel Charles G. Davis, Editor 
By First Lieutenant Clarence C. Clute 




EW regiments of the national guard can boast 
of service as lengthy or as varied as that 
which the 123rd Field Artillery rendered in 
the World War. Fate crowded an amazing 
variety of trying duties into the twenty- 
seven months intervening between the regi- 
ment's mobilization in March, 191 7, and the 
muster-out in June, 1919. 

The regiment's war service began with 
infantry duty in Illinois, The difficult task 
of converting an infantry organization into 
an artillery unit followed. Long periods of 
drill, weary hikes, constant changes and try- 
ing waits preceded the supreme test in actual 
battle. After the armistice the regiment 
had another long wait before sailing for 
home. 

Altogether, that service was a severe 
test of loyalty and courage. The fact that 
the regiment faced all troubles and dangers 
cheerfully and courageously would be dis- 

.S7I 



572 ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 

tinction enough if the 123rd did not have more definite proofs that its behavior 
at all times was in keeping with the regimental traditions established on the 
battlefields of Mexico and strengthened in the Civil War and the war with 
Spain. 

The regiment was the Sixth Illinois Infantry when it entered active 
service in response to the President's call of March 25, 191 7. In compliance 
with orders issued by Colonel Charles G. Davis, the several units assembled 
at their armories on March 26, ready for duty. 

Second in command under Colonel Davis was Lieutenant Colonel John 
W. Reig of Moline. The units answering the call, their home stations and 
their commanding officers were: 

First Battalion 

Major Morton C. Porter, Alexis, commanding. 
First Lieutenant John A. Bickel, Chicago, adjutant. 
Company A, Rock Island, First Lieutenant William A. Scott. 
Company B, Aledo, Captain Oscar E. Carlstrom. 
Company C, Galesburg, Captain Alfred E. Miller. 
Company D, Oak Park, Captain George W. Armbrust. 

Second Battalion 

Major Edward H. Dunavin, Rock Island, commanding. 
First Lieutenant Clarence P. Reid, Dixon, adjutant. 
Company E, Sterling, Captain J. Frank W^ahl. 
Company F, Moline, Captain Herbert B. IMcKahin, 
Company G, Dixon, Captain Elijah J. Soper. 
Company H, Monmouth, Captain John M. Evey. 

Third Battalion 

Major Ralph W. Cavenaugh, Oak Park, commanding. 
First Lieutenant John C. Bohan, Oak Park, adjutant. 
Company I, Morrison, Captain Roy M. Hawes. 
Company K, Kewanee, Captain Ernest E. Stull. 
Company L, Freeport, Captain William W. Warn. 
Company M, Chicago Heights, Captain Harris F. Hall. 

Machine Gun Company, Geneseo, Captain Frank J. Wahlheim. 
Supply Company, Galena, Captain Leo. T. Lebrun. 
Headquarters Company, Oak Park, Captain Charles Benson, 
Medical Detachment, Oak Park, Major Frederick C. Miller. 
Chaplain, Captain John W. Ferris. 



THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



573 




LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN W. REIG 



On the day of mobilization 
Company A and Company F were 
sent to the Rock Island arsenal 
for guard duty. They were re- 
enforced the next day by Com- 
panies E, G and H. The other 
companies remained at their ar- 
mories until April i, when they 
were assembled at the State Fair 
grounds in Springfield. 

Snow began to fall shortly 
after the regiment had been as- 
sembled. The men suffered in- 
tensely for lack of blankets until 
Adjutant General Frank S. Dick- 
son and Governor Frank O. 
Lowden, the latter as a private 
citizen, came to the rescue with 
blankets, heating apparatus, can- 
vas and medical supplies. 

The regiment was quartered 
in the Dome Building and in the Swine Building on the State Fair grounds for 
two weeks. Then pyramidal tents were issued, and the regiment was estab- 
lished in Camp Lowden west of the fair grounds. 

In April Companies D and K were sent to guard government property at 
East St. Louis, and Company L was added to the garrison at the Rock Island 
arsenal. The remaining companies carried on drill at Camp Lowden, encour- 
aged by the enlistment, in a body, of the Augustana College band from Rock 
Island. 

Race riots in East St. Louis caused the hasty dispatch of Companies C 
and I to reenforce Companies D and K in July. A few days later Company M 
was sent to Scott Field, Belleville, for guard duty and Company B was assigned 
to similar service at Chanute Field at Rantoul. Before the end of the month 
the machine gun company was sent to East St. Louis, leaving only the head- 
quarters and supply companies at Camp Lowden. 

The Rock Island arsenal guard was relieved on August 14. Companies 
A and L were sent to East St. Louis, but the other units of the guard reported 
back to headquarters in Springfield and began intensive infantry drill in a 
trench system which had been dug on the hills adjoining the camp. 

Reports that the regiment was soon to join the Prairie Division at 
Camp Logan and that it would be converted into an artillery organization 
were heard late in the summer. The rumors, so far as they concerned the 
proposed transformation of the regiment, caused uneasiness. The men pre- 
ferred infantry service to duty with which they were unfamiliar, and it was 
with some misgivings that the regiment entrained, on September 8, for Texas. 



574 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



A week later divisional orders verified the unpopular rumors. At mid- 
night of September 19 the famous old Sixth Illinois Infantry passed out of 
existence and a new regiment, the 123rd U. S. Field Artillery, was born. 

On paper the new organization was a regiment of six batteries equipped 
with horse-drawn 6-inch howitzers. Actually it was a crowd of infantrymen, 
awaiting the training and equipment needed to transform them into artillery- 
men. 

The reorganization of the regiment was not difficult. Companies were 
paired to form batteries. Companies C and I became Battery A; Companies 
B and E, Battery B; Companies G and M, Battery C; Companies D and H, 
Battery D; Companies K and L, Battery E; Companies A and F, Battery F. 
The machine gun company became the nucleus of the 122nd Machine Gun 
Battalion and still later became the io8th Trench Mortar Battery, attached 
to the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade, of which the 123rd was a part. 

The paper transformation was easy; the actual remaking of the regi- 
ment was a much more difficult task. An organization of doughboys had to 
be turned into a seasoned artillery outfit — and there was no equipment. 

The 123rd was not to be discouraged, however, by a shortage of horses 
and guns. The men made harnesses of sticks and strings and used each 
other as horses. For guns they used wooden saw horses, until dummy guns 
not unlike those used in camouflage overseas were available. When the pos- 
sibilities of the wooden guns had been exhausted the War Department pro- 
vided the regiment with a platoon of venerable 3. 2 -inch field pieces which 
had served long and well in the Spanish-American war. Just before these 
veterans were due to collapse they were succeeded by a battery of 4.7-inch 
howitzers which actually could be fired, if one were not in a hurry or particular 
as to direction. 




WHEN THE OLD SIXTH ILLINOIS WAS AT CAMP LOGAN 



THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



575 




These sketchy acquisitions of material 
were accompanied by changing orders. By 
official direction the regiment abandoned 
light field pieces for heavy ones, then 
switched from horse-drawn to motorized 
equipment and back again. Luckily all the 
equipment which figured in these changes 
was theoretical only, so that only paper was 
lost. 

Despite the difficulties it encountered, 
the regiment made rapid progress. By May 
of 191 8, when the entire Thirty-third Divi- 
sion was ordered overseas, the 123rd Field 
Artillery was a regiment of gunners in fact 
as well as theory, thanks to the determined 
spirit of officers and men. 

The artillery brigade moved from 
Camp Logan to Camp Merritt, with the rest 
of the division. While the 123rd was in this 
camp, awaiting sailing orders, the regiment 
was commended highly in a report made 
by the assistant port inspector at Camp Mer- 
ritt. Following is an extract from this re- 
port: 

"The attention of the commanding gen- 
eral and of the War Department is especially invited to the uniformly smart 
and soldierly bearing of the officers and men of this regiment, commanded 
by Colonel Charles G. Davis, 123rd Field Artillery. This regiment excels by 
far, in this respect, any organization that has passed under my eyes since 
being on duty at this camp. It is never necessary to ask one of these officers 
or men what organization he belongs to, as the answer is indicated by the 
smartness of the salute." 

The artillery brigade moved from Camp Logan to Camp Merritt, N. J., 
and on May 25 the 123rd boarded the transport Scotian at Hoboken. The 
Scotian sailed the next day as part of a convoy of thirteen ships. Liverpool 
was reached thirteen days later, and on June 8 the regiment went into camp 
at Knotty Ash, England. The channel was crossed on the night of June 11 
on the transports Viper and H. S. Miller. The regiment disembarked at 
Havre, spent a day in a rest camp, and then was sent to Ornans, a beautiful 
spot in the Jura mountains in the Department of Doubs. 

Motor trucks distributed the regiment to training quarters in the vicinity, 
the first battalion going to Fallerans, Battery C to Etraye and the rest of the 
regiment remaining with the headquarters detachment at Epinoy. 

Most of the officers and one-third of the enlisted personnel were ordered 
to highly developed brigade artillery schools for special instruction soon after 



LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN A. 
HOLABIRD 



576 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




MAJOR RALPH W. CAVENAUGH 

Commanding the Third Battalion, 

123rd Field Artillery. 



the regiment had estabHshed itself. 
There they absorbed, in six weeks, a 
course of training which previously had 
not been given in less than two months. 
Other officers and men, mean- 
while, had been sent into neighboring 
departments of France to purchase 
horses. When the instruction course 
ended, therefore, the regiment was 
ready to try out the French artillery 
methods for which American prac- 
tices had been abandoned. 

On July 2 6 the regiment was sent 
to Valdahon, to occupy barracks in- 
stead of billets for the first time since 
its arrival in France. A little later 
the batteries were equipped with the 
famous Schneider 155 mm. howitzers, 
and range practice was started. 

Although rain fell during almost 
all of the training period, the regi- 
ment quickly acquired proficiency, and in August was judged ready for active 
service. When the order sending the regiment to the line was received the 
men hailed it joyfully. The departure from the artillery camp on August 22 
was one of the big events in the i2 3rd's service. 

After marching down the valley of the Doubs to Besangon, the men 
entrained and were taken to Pagny-sur-lVIeuse. They hiked again to Foug, 
a little beyond Toul and near the fighting front. There they had their first 
taste of real war. Enemy 
aviators greeted them 
with a salvo of bombs 
which caused a mad 
scramble for shelter. 

The next night the 
regiment marched for- 
ward over miles and 
miles of road jammed 
with advancing and with- 
drawing artillery. The 
flashes of guns at the 
front could be seen and 
occasionally flares illu- 
minated the plodding 
columns. one of the 155 mm. howitzers 




THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



577 



At dawn the regi- 
ment went into conceal- 
ment in the Boucq 
woods. There it re- 
mained for several days, 
until ordered to advance 
into the Foret de la 
Reine and establish gun 
emplacements. 

A more interesting 
part of the brigade sec- 
tor in the St. Mihiel sali- 
ent could not have been 
found. The regimental 
post of command was at 
Beaumont, not far from 
Seicheprey, famous as 
the scene of the raid in 
which the Germans cap- 
tured their first American prisoners in April, 191 8. Directly north, beyond 
a small valley, was the bald peak of Mont Sec, from which the Germans 
could watch every movement for miles about. 

Because of this enemy vantage point the task of the 123rd Artillery 
was extremely hazardous. Guns and ammunition had to be brought for- 
ward under the enemy's eyes. Heavy rains increased the difficulty. Never- 
theless the regiment established itself. Ammunition was dragged through 
heavy mire, often knee-deep, until all was ready for the attack. 




IN THE RUINS OF BEAUMONT 




THE BALD SLOPE OF MONT SEC 



578 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




REGIMENTAL POST OF COMMAND IN BOUCONVILLE 



To the first bat- 
talion, commanded by 
Major Dunavin, was as- 
signed the duty of sup- 
porting the Thirty-ninth 
French Colonial Division 
and battering Mont Sec, 
especially the observa- 
tion posts on the summit. 
The battalion was posted 
in Bouconville, near the 
edge of Etange de Giron- 
delle. 

The second battal- 
ion, at that time commanded by Captain Bickel in the absence of Major 
Bohan, who was in a hospital, took position in the cemetery in the south 
edge of Rambucourt. Its mission was to support the attack of the First 
Division and to help in covering the Thirty-ninth French Colonials. 

While digging gun pits the men of the second battalion had no other 
protection than camouflage nets and enemy aviators soon spotted them. A 
platoon of 150's opened fire after several shots from long-range guns. The 
first shell fired struck the ammunition dump, killing Sergeant Marion B. 
Fletcher and wounding three other men of Battery D. The enemy fired at 
least 280 shells that afternoon, evidently hoping to demolish the battery. 
Eighteen hundred rounds were 
touched off by a shell which struck 
a store of powder, but there were 
no additional casualties. 

The third battalion, com- 
manded by ]\Iajor Cavenaugh, was 
stationed in the rear of the village 
of Bouconville, with orders to sup- 
port the Thirty-ninth French Co- 
lonials, cover the left flank of the 
First Division and fire into the area 
of the Forty-second Division. 

The order to commence firing 
was flashed a little after midnight 
on September 12, and the greatest 
artillery bombardment the world 
had yet seen began. Subsequent 
American attacks were to be sup- 
ported by heavier fire, but till then 
nothing like the pounding of that major JOHN A. bickel 

September morning had been seen. Commanding the First Battalion. 




THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



579 




POSITION OF BATTERY B IN REAR OF BOUCONVILLE 



What the results 
were, the world knows. 
The flattening of the St. 
Mihiel salient was an 
achievement which 
thrilled the aUied na- 
tions. The artillery's 
part in the victory may 
be judged from the f..ct 
that the veteran infan- 
trymen of the First Di- 
vision later referred to 
their rapid and stead}' 
advance as ''a dough- 
boy's parade." 

The 123rd Field Ar- 
tillery emerged from the 

battle with a citation from jNIajor General Summerall, commanding the 
First Division. General Summerall praised the regiment for its devotion 
to duty and its efficiency in supporting the infantry and advancing over diffi- 
cult roads. His praise was doubly welcome as he was an artillery officer. 

The 123rd Field Artillery had advanced to positions near Xivray and 
Marvoisin after the first day's fighting, but the progress of the American 
forces continued so rapidly that on September 14 the brigade was relieved. 
The 123rd moved to the Frassard woods for a day's rest, and then joined 
the other units of the brigade in a hike toward the sector northwest of Verdun. 
The march lasted through four nights. The first lap carried the regi- 
ment to a hiding place in the Koeur woods. The next morning camp was 

established at Pierrefitte, 
where the bandsmen res- 
urrected their instru- 
ments and put on an 
impromptu celebration. 
The concert heartened 
the men. They howled 
defiance at "Heinie" and 
eagerly resumed their 
march at night. 

Dawn found the 
column in Beauzee, a 
shell-torn village which 
had been held for two 
hours by the Germans 

GUN POSITION OF BATTERY D ^^^^y ^" ^^^ ^^^- ^eau- 

In rear of Ratnbucourt, September 12. zee is on the banks of 























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ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 





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THE CAUSEWAY NORTH OF BOUCONVILLE 
Over which the 123rd and the 124th passed under fire. 

the Aire, and that afternoon most of the men gave up sleep in order to enjoy 
a bath in the river. 

The next night's march carried the regiment to the Waly Woods, on 
the right of the Foret d'Argonne, in position for the coming battle. The 
batteries went into echelon, and the work of getting the guns ready began. 

The brigade's new sector was a hot one. It faced the pivotal position 
on the IVIetz-Lille line, to defend which the Germans had established works 
regarded as almost impregnable. No other part of the famous Hindenburg 
system had stronger defenses than those opposite the Fifty-eighth Field Ar- 
tillery Brigade. 

Fearing that the Germans might expect an attack if they saw Americans 
opposite them, the divisional commanders ordered officers and men to wear 




THE MAIN STREET OF XIVRAY 



THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



581 



French uniforms when on reconnaissance. The patrols of the 123rd went 
out looking like poilus, but they brought back distinctly American reports, 
one corporal putting his judgment of the German defense in these words: 

"No waits or delays in this next circus, men; something doing all the 
time." 

By September 21, the regiment was in position, with the regimental 
post of command in the Foret de Hesse and the battalions at strategic points. 
The second battalion, to which Major Bohan by this time had been able to 
return, was with the third in the northern edge of the wood. The first bat- 
talion was placed between the repimental post of command and La Cigalcrie, 




IN THE FORET DE HESSE 
Gun positions of Battery D during the attack of September 26, 1018. 



a high hill at the foot of which the infantry was entrenched. Captain Bickel 
was assigned to the first battalion as commander in place of Major Dunavin, 
who had been attached to headquarters as second in command of the regi- 
ment. To the right were the 155 mm. howitzers of the Thirty-sixth Battery 
of the Eighth French Field Artillery, completing the Davis grouping for the 
battle. 

The attack opened with an intense bombardment, beginning shortly 
after midnight on September 26. The fire exceeded that of St. Mihiel in 
concentration and intensity, reaching a volume unparalleled in the war. 

At dawn the infantry of the Ninety-first Division hopped over under 
cover of the I23rd's barrage and captured its early objectives easily. By 
2 o'clock Very, the day's objective, had been reached. 



582 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



The regiment was ready to follow the 
advancing infantry by ii o'clock on the 
morning of the attack, but was ordered to 
remain in position until the following morn- 
ing. When the advance did begin, it was 
harassed by enemy fire. Lieutenant John 
L. Riley was wounded by a fragment from 
a 150 mm. shell; Lieutenant Michael Cody 
was wounded in the jaw, and Battery F lost 
several men in killed and wounded. Despite 
his wounds, Lieutenant Riley refused to go 
to the rear, but accompanied the regiment, 
using crutches when compslled to walk. 

The effects of the regiment's fire were 
soon noticeable. The ground had been made 
almost impassable. The howitzers had to 
be dragged over shattered roads, across fields 
full of shell holes, through a mass of crum- 
bled stone where the village of Avocourt 
had stood, and along trails blown to pieces 
by enemy mines. Men put their shoulders to the wheels to help the stagger- 
ing horses, and at last the goal was reached. The regiment unlimbered at 
the Very-Cheppy crossroads and went immediately into action. 

A gap had been reported on either side of the Ninety-first Division. 
The liaison of the attacking infantry had been destroyed during the advance, 
and the enemy had an opening a kilometer wide on either flank of the division. 



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41 



MAJOR JOHN C. BOHAN 




U.\ IHK bLUPb Ub LA ClUALLRlE 



THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



583 



The artillery's task was 
to hold that gap until the 
infantry could be re- 
aligned. 

The cannoneers 
were ordered to work 
with rifles beside them. 
and small arms ammuni- 
tion was issued to all men 
in anticipation of a rush 
of Germans through the 
broken line. iNIeanwhile 
the heaviest fire possible 
was concentrated on the 
danger spots. 

The regiment 
worked fiercely. All night a barrage was laid down on the gap to the left, 
where the Ninety-first and the Thirty-fifth Divisions had lost touch with 
each other, and heavy fire was directed against the enemy opposite the 
Thirty-fifth Division, which had met with desperate resistance. Every man 
did his utmost that night. All the ammunition which the supply trains could 
get forward was firtd. One private, of whom civilian life had demanded 
nothing more strenuous than the playing of a piano in a Chicago cabaret, car- 
ried and washed 90-pound projectiles for ten hours without stopping. 

Two days later the regiment moved forward again, passing through 
the ruins of Verv. The enemv concentrated fire on the obliterated village, 




BATTERY CS POSITION I\ THE FORET DE HESSE 









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Showing the terrain over which the Ninety-first Division advanced. 




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THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



5S5 



but the units of the regiment passed 
through unscathed by timing the fire 
and dashing ahead when a lull was 
due. By noon the whole organiza- 
tion had run the gauntlet and was 
in position to the right of a plank 
road just beyond the town, in a valley 
later to become known as "Hell's 
Valley." 

The road stretched from Very 
to Epinonville, branching off to the 
right to Montfaucon, where the Ger- 
man Crown Prince was ensconced 
during one of his futile drives against 
Verdun. Montfaucon could be seen 
from the regimental post of com- 
mand, which was about a quarter of 

a mile northeast of Very. Battalion and battery posts of command were lined 
up and down the valley, the most distant being within five minutes' walk of 
regim.ental headquarters. 

By this time the regiment had been reenforced by the 301st French Field 
Artillery, with three batteries of 155 mm. howitzers, and the 454th French 
Field Artillery, with three batteries of 105 mm. guns. This concentration of 
heavy guns made the group a powerful one, whose destructive fire enabled 
the Thirty-second Division to capture and pass the Bois de la INIorine and the 
Bois de Chene Sec, woods northwest of Gesnes which had resisted all previous 
attacks and were holding up the entire advance. 

The presence of the French regiments was encouraging to the 123rd, 
not only because of the assistance the poilus rendered, but also because the 




AT THE VERY-CHEPPY CROSSROADS 




THE ROAD WHICH SEPARATES THE BOIS DE CHEPPY FROM THE BOIS DE VERY 



S86 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



efficiency of the Illinois gunners compared so favorably with that of the 
veteran Frenchmen. 

Although the allied artillery was steadily breaking down the enemy de- 
fenses, the 123rd was sorely harassed by hostile planes in "Hell's Valley." 
Enemy aviators were in sight almost continually during the day, despite the 
excellent work of American flyers, including Captain Rickenbacker's pursuit 
squadron. At night bombing planes ranged over the lines, making the use 
of any kind of light impossible. 

The regiment suffered heavy casualties in the raids of enemy airmen, 
armed with machine guns. The planes helped the German artillery, too, by 
making observations which kept the batteries almost constantly under fire. 















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THE TOWN OF VERY AND THE VALLEY WHICH LIES BETWEEN IT AND 

EPINONMLLE 

Panel stations were ''spotted" and destroyed in this way, and every day the 
batteries were "bracketed" by enemy shell fire. 

The men stuck to their guns despite the enemy's activity, steadily 
hurling projectiles toward the German lines. Lieutenant Leon R. Henry, 
while acting as executive officer of Battery C, almost lost his uniform, which 
was torn half away by shell fragments, but he escaped injury and remained 
at his post. 

Instances of extreme heroism were numerous. Medical corps men went 
up the valley slopes, in full view of the enemy, to carry wounded to the rear. 
Lieutenant Harry A. Torson of Battery B ran a gauntlet of machine gun 
fire in order to establish an observation post. Lieutenant Martin F. Trued, 
with his telephone detail, braved heavy fire repeatedly to keep the com- 
munication lines open, an act for which he later was cited. Lieutenant Joseph 



THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



587 




GESNES, ONE OF THE BRIGADE OBJECTIVES 

L. Shaw and Corporal Salisbury, of the intelligence department, rescued five 
wounded machine gunners in the face of fire from an Austrian "whizz bang" 
on the edge of the village of Romagne. Major Moss of the medical corps 
was wounded while running to the aid of two men of an engineers' battalion 
who had been shot down in an enemy bombardment. 

Those acts of individual heroism typify the courage of the entire regi- 
ment, which faced the enemy's desperate attacks without the slightest relaxa- 
tion of morale. A more loyal and 
willing organization could not 
have been found. 

Finally the infantry was re- 
lieved, the Thirty-second Division 
taking the place of the Ninety- 
first and the First moving into the 
lines held by the Thirty-fifth. No 
relief, however, came for the ar- 
tillery. The entire Fifty-eighth 
Brigade was kept in the line until 
October 12, protecting the in- 
fantry units as they changed 
places, and supporting the ad- 
vance. 

A new move forward had 
been ordered on the 12th, and 
the 123rd was on the march when 
fresh instructions were received, 
sending the regiment back for a 
rest. Even the withdrawal was 




MAJOR ELI B. MOSS 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 









OFFICERS OF THE FIRST BATTALION 

Standing: Lieutenants Shields and Powell, Major Bickel, Captain Patchin, Major Dunavin, 
Captain Parker, Lieutenants Swedberg, Cross and Syfan, Captains Pratt and Kimbro, Lieutenant 
Hootman, Captain Torson. 

Seated: Lieutenants Cederburg, Tice, Clark and Rule, Captain Bereth, Lieutenant Temple. 

difficult. So many horses had been killed that it was impossible to take all the 
guns out at once. Part of the equipment was moved in the morning. The 
following evening the drivers and horses returned for the rest. 

It was a weary, but dogged regiment that marched slowly to the rear. 
The spirit of the organization was eloquently expressed in the curt answer 
of a private whom a pioneer major met at Avocourt on the way to rest billets. 

"Did they give you more than you could stand?" the major asked of 
the mud-spattered, plodding private. 

"Nope," said the private, "they didn't give us more than we could stand; 
they just gave us all we wanted." 

And no wonder! The men had been exposed to enemy shell fire for 
twenty-one consecutive days. All gun positions had been in the open in 
every phase of the battle, giving the men no other shelter than their spaded 
"fox holes." For sixteen days the regiment had attacked, firing 30,000 rounds, 
or more than thirteen tons of high explosives. 

Two days were spent in resting at Recicourt. The regiment then moved 
back to Ville-sur-Cousances, where, after a week's rest, it passed in review 
before Major General McNair. The general gave the regiment highest com- 
mendation for the unusually good condition of its materiel and horses. 

Further proof of the regiment's standing came a little later when the 
123rd was selected from the entire A. E. F. as the one best fitted for motor- 



THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



589 




OFFICERS OF THE SECOND BATTALION 

Front row: Lieutenants Blazer and Henry, Captain Johnson, Lieutenant Merwin, Major 
Bohan, Battalion Sergeant Major Merrill, Lieutenant McCarthy. 

Middle row: Lieutenants Wolfner and Mitchell, First Sergeant Nevius, Lieutenants Poison 
and Conner, First Sergeant Frantz, Lieutenants Montague and Lawson. 

Back row: Lieutenants Fairty and Berg. 

ization. At that time there was only one other regiment of motorized artillery, 
the Eleventh Field Artillery, in the American army. 

The regiment's horses were given to the 122nd and 124th Regiments, 
which had been crippled by heavy losses of animals, and the Eleventh Field 
Artillery filled the gap in the Fifty-eighth Brigade. The 123rd entrained 
at Soiiilly for Doulaincourt, expecting to be motorized and returned immedi- 
ately to the front. Just before the regiment left. General Todd addressed the 
following memorandum to Colonel Davis: 

"The brigade commander desires to express to the officers and men of 
the 123rd Field Artillery his appreciation of their singular loyalty to the 
brigade shown on all occasions, by prompt and unquestioning obedience of 
orders, scrupulous regard to the necessity of keeping animals and materiel 
always in the best of condition and the faithful performance of all the arduous 
duties consequent to two military operations of the first importance. 

''He views with great regret the detachment of the regiment from the 
brigade at this time, but regards its selection for motorization before many 
other similar units as a tribute to its efficiency. Its work during the period 
of motorization will be followed with keen interest and its return to the 
brigade eagerly awaited." 



590 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




OFFICERS OF THE THIRD BATTALION 

Standing: Lieutenant Dexter, Captain Swain, Lieutenants Hinkhouse. White and Ady, Cap- 
tain Riley, Lieutenant Wiseman. First Sergeant Hartung, Captain Swedberg, Battalion Sergeant 
Major Fanning, Captain Selover. 

Seated: Lieutenants Sealy, Cody, Lewis, and Heath, First Sergeant Atcheson, Lieutenant 
Nelson, Major Cavenaugh, Lieutenants Cable and Rogers. 



Just as the new equipment was being issued, however, the armistice 
was signed. In a way, the news was a disappointment to the regiment. The 
123rd had just been reequipped, the men were in remarkably fine physical 
condition, and battle experience had fitted the organization for even better 
service than it had rendered in previous campaigns. 

Until Christmas the regiment remained in the vicinity of Doulaincourt, 
devoting half of each day to drill and half to athletics and the care of ma- 
teriel. Then the new motors were tested on a trip to Stenay, to join the 
other regiments of the brigade. 

On January 7, the entire brigade moved northward toward Luxemburg. 
The 123rd, with its motor equipment, easily made the trip in twelve hours, 
leading the other artillery regiments back to the infantrymen of the Thirty- 
third Division, already quartered in Luxemburg. The several units of the 
regiment were quartered in the villages of Lintgen, Prettingen, Imbringen, 
Lorenzweiler and Blascheid, and became part of the Army of Occupation. 

The regiment's morale did not relax, now that the fighting had ended. 
The men performed their duties so conscientiously that in the divisional 
motor show at Diekirch, one of the big events of the winter, the 123rd won 
an easv victorv b^cuise of the excellent condition of its materiel. Later 



THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



591 




SOME OF BATTERY CS 155 mm. HOWITZERS 



the regiment won from the Twenty-first Field Artillery in the Sixth Corps 
motor show in the city of Luxemburg. The regimental vaudeville troop won 
honors in a tour of the division, and the band was selected in March to repre- 
sent the division in the leave area at Nimes. Secretary of War Baker and 
General Pershing inspected the regiment in the divisional review on April 22, 
the last formal parade of the Illinois men before their homeward journey. 

The 123rd entrained for Brest on its homeward journey, on April 29. 
A week later all units of the division had reached the port, but it was not 
until May i6 that the 123rd embarked on the transport America. The 
Statue of Liberty was sighted on May 24, just one day less than a year after 
she had watched the regiment sail eastward. 

There was another weary wait 'at Camp Mills, L. L, but on June 3 the 
regiment entrained for 
Chicago, where it pa- 
raded with the other 
units of the brigade. On 
June 9 the 123rd Field 
Artillery passed into his- 
tory at Camp Grant, 
after more than two 
years of hard service. It 
had been on active duty 
longer than any other 
Illinois National Guard 
regiment, and it had per- 
formed, with credit to it- 
self, the state and the 
country, its duties. 




ONE OF THE TEN-TON TRACTORS 



592 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



COLONEL DAVIS' FAREWELL ORDER 

The commanding officer took farewell of his men with the following order: 

Soldiers of the Regiment: 

It was not given to address all the officers and men collective'y nor to say farewell indi- 
vidually; I cannot have you depart without expression. 

Upon the President's call, the regiment entered federal service on March 26th, igi;. As 
the 6th Illinois Infantry, its units guarded public and private property from threatened destruc- 
tion and restored and preserved law and order. During this period, no destruction of any 
property was done while under guard of these units. 

On September 20th, iqi7, the regiment became the 123rd Field Artillery. You trained with- 
out remission until departure overseas in May, 1918. In the Jura Mountains of France, you 
continued intensive training until you marched to the front. 

You endured the battles of the St. Mihiel Offensive and of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive 
and the marches and maneuvers consequent of those battles. You always accomplished your 
missions, always fired as ordered, always maneuvered as required. Such was your conduct 
tiiat never was explanation required but commendation was received for every action in which 
the regiment participated. 

By your conduct in the billets, the inhabitants became your friends and upon evacuation 
from time to time, your departure was with the well wishes and the tears of the people. Their 
letters and inquiries of your safety followed you through the battles. 

Always, the condition of the materiel, the animals, the motor transport and the soldierly 
bearing and discipline of the individual brought commendation. In all things, you established 
and maintained a standard that for excellence distinguished the regiment throughout its service 
in the expeditionary forces. 

These statements are not mine alone, but are the substance of citations, letters and remarks 
the most of which have been published to you. 

Yours is the honor and pride of having achieved this splendid record, mine is the pride and 
honor of having commanded such soldiers. 

We salute our dead proudly, we sympathize with those dear to them and, whenever neces- 
sary, extend a helping hand. 

The regiment officially ceases to be this day, but you march on through history with your 
standards united with the colors of our regiment of past wars, bearing proudly a devotion to 
duty, a loyalty to country, a will to victory that will be a cherished tradition and an inspiration 
for future generations. 

My most sincere and final desire is that each, with the strong courage and clear devotion 
held as soldiers, may always sustain the high ideals of our citizenship and steadfastly maintain 
the principles of our government; and that prosperity and happiness may be for each of you 
to the fullest. 

CHARLES G. DAVIS. 

Colonel U. S. F. A. 




THE CHURCH ON MONTFAUCON 



THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



593 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY, WHO WERE KILLED IN 
ACTION, DIED OF WOUNDS OR DIED OF DISEASE OVERSEAS 



Second Lieutenant 
William R. Euard 



Charles B. Morgan 
Peter L. Strong 



Sergeant Major 

Robert E. Fitzgibbons 

Sergeants 

Marion B. Fletcher 
Charles E. Gold 

Corporals 

Carl E. Westlund 
Fred C. Yde 

Mechanic 

John A. Wakeland 

Wagoners 

Alfred L. Goodwin 
Artie C. Meusch 



Privates, First Class 
William F. Heinze 
John L. Hughes 
Arthur J. Inman 
Albert H. Mayo 
Elmer Vogel 

Privates 

Lloyd Elliott 
Harry M. Helmick 
Matthew A. Herman 
Carl L. Jorgensen 
William F. Keane 
Archie Latourette 
CHfford C. Miller 
Horace F. Ortt 
Henry J. Ziegenhein 



DECORATIONS RECEIVED BY OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



Lieutenant Colonel 
John A. Holabird 

Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf 

Private 

Horace F. Ortt 

Distinguished Service Cross 



CITATIONS FOR THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE 
CROSS 

Second Lieutenant Edgar J. Rule: 

Near Courboin, on July 14-15, 1018, Lieutenam 
Rule, then a sergeant of the Tenth Field Artillery, on 
telephone detail, fearlessly repaired lines under heavy 
fire of gas and high explosive shel's until the lines were 
cut beyond repair, when he volunteered and carried 
messages through the bombardment. 

Private Horace F. Ortt, Battery C, deceased: 

In the Very-Epinonville Valley, northwest of Ver- 
dun, October 4, 1018, Private Ortt volunteered to carry 
an important message to a position under heavy enemy 
fire, realizing in advance that he was exposing himself 
to unusual dangers in this undertaking. He continued 
in his task until killed bv an enemv shell. 



Second Lieutenant 
Edgar J. Rule 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Croix de Guerre 




PRIVATE HORACE F. ORTT 



594 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY WHO WERE CITED FOR 
GALLANTRY BY GENERAL PERSHING AND GENERAL BELL 



t Received citations both from General Bell and General Pershing. 
* Received citation only from General Pershing. 
Others received citations from General Bell. 



Captain 

t Harry E. Hearn 

First Lieutenant 
t Leon R. Henry 

First Sergeant 
t Samuel Stone 

Sergeants 

t Ralph T. Johnson 
t John P. Kinnerk 
t Harry W. Scoggan 

Corporals 

t John Goad 

t William P. Oliver 

* Gerald L. Rossman 

Privates, First Class 
t Fred C. Mose 




LIEUTENANT EDGAR J. RULE 



Colonel 

Charles G. Davis 

Lieutenant Colonel 
* Joseph A. Rogers 



Privates 

tKarl A. Gillig 
t Horace F. Ortt 
t Charles K. Priestman 
Floyd Watt 



ORGANIZATION OF 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY DURING ACTIVE OPERATIONS. 
INCLUDING ROSTER OF OFFICERS OF THAT PERIOD 

Colonel 

Charles G. Davis, commanding Groupements and 123rd Field Artillery 

Lieutenant Colonels 

John A. Holabird, assigned to Twelfth Field Artillery, September i, IQ18 
Joseph A. Rogers, reported for duty October 4; assigned to 124th Field Artillery, October 
1918 

Major 

Edward H. Dunavin, second in command after October 5, 1Q18 



STAFF 



Major 

Eli B. Moss, Medical 

Captains 

Rubey J. Hamilton, Adjutant and Opera- 
tions Officer 
Frank C. McElvain, Personnel 



First Lieutenants 

Joseph A. Merrill (later Captain), Opera- 
tions 

Joseph L. Shaw. Intelligence 

Martin F. Trued, Telephone 

Edward D. Harris (later Captain). Muni- 
tions 



THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



595 




OFFICERS OF THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 
Top row: Captains J. B. Bereth, O. E. Carlstrom, R. J. Hamilton H. E. Hearn^ 
Second row: Captains L. G. Lewis, F C^ McE^-ain, J A. MernlK B.A_ Parker. 
Third row: Captains R. W. Pratt, J. L. Riley H. R^ Selover, H. D. ^waim 
Bottom row: Lieutenants M. S. Ady, A. L. Cross, C. L. Dexter, R. A. Kimble. 



596 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Willard F. Larkin, Liaison 
Roy W. Merrifield, Chaplain 

Second Lieutenants 

Clarence C. Clute (later First Lieutenant), 

Radio 
Frederick E. Coyne (later First Lieutenant), 

Gas 



Roger Schlatter, French Artillery, attached 
Raymond Rose, 301st (French) Field Artil- 
lery, Liaison 
Ray M. Houdek, Band Leader 

Interpreter 

Andre Kunzel, Chaplain French Army 



FIRST BATTALION 



HEADQUARTERS 



Captains 

John A. Bickel (later Major), Commanding 
Barton A. Parker, Adjutant 

First Lieutenant 

Roscoe W. Pratt (later Captain), Medical 

Second Lieutenants 

Ferdinand A. Cederburg, Radio and Muni- 
tions 
Edwin W. Swedberg, Telephone 
Ralph J. Syfan, Liaison 

BATTERY A 

First Lieutenants 

Sidney A. Patchin (later Captain), Com- 
manding 
Ward R. Imes 



Second Lieutenants 

George R. McDonald 

Guy E. Temple (later First Lieutenant) 

BATTERY B 

Captain 

James B. Bereth, Commanding 

First Lieutenants 
Albert L. Cross 
Harry A. Torson (later Captain) 

Second Lieutenants 

Harold M. Hootman 
Leslie S. Tice 



SECOND BATTALION 



HEADQUARTERS 

Major 

John C. Bohan, Commanding 

Captains 

Homer W. Johnson, Adjutant 
Harry E. Hearn, Medical 

Second Lieutenants 

Robert F Poison, Radio and Munitions 
Herschel J. Blazer, Telephone 
Lewis F. Robinson, Liaison 

BATTERY C 

Captain 

Howard R. Selover, Commanding 



First Lieutenants 

Victor A. Elmblad 
Leon R. Henry 

Second Lieutenants 

John H. Lawson (later First Lieutenant) 
Thomas T. Mackie 

BATTERY D 

First Lieutenant^; 

Arthur V. Gair (later Captain), Command- 
ing 
Alexander C. Mitchell 
Charles L. Merwin 

Second Lieutenants 

John T. McCarthy (later First Lieutenant) 
Edgar S. Montague (later First Lieutenant) 



THIRD BATTALION 



HEADQUARTERS 



Major 

Ralph W. Cavenaugh, Commanding 



Captain 

N. Victor Franklin, Adjutant 

First Lieutenant 

John L. Riley (later Captain), Medical 



THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



597 




IIEUTENANTS OF THE u^Rn FIELD ARTILLERY 

l""' ^rRow- 'R"w''MeUei?"c'rMe'ywin; A^^C "kitcfell^^Sert J. Powell. 
Is row Frank HQSnn!''iosep^ C. C. Shields, Roy Tuchbreiter. 

Boltom row H J. B'azer, F. A. Cederburg. Neal J. Coltnn, Harry C. Fairty. 



598 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Second Lieutenants 

Byron H. L. Nelson, Radio and Munitions 
William F. Sealy (later First Lieutenant), 

Te ephone 
Michael Cody, Jr. (later First Lieutenant), 

Liaison 

BATTERY E 

Captain 

Harold D. Swain, Commanding 

First Lieutenants 

Ralph A. Kimble 
Clyde L. Dexter 



Second Lieutenants 
William R. Euard 
Carlos D, Wiseman 

BATTERY F 

Captain 

Arthur V. Swedberg, Commanding 

First Lieutetiants 
Merrill S. Ady 
Chester L. Brundagc 

Second Lieutenants 

Frederick L. Heath (later First Lieutenant) 
William J. Anderson 



OTHER REGIMENTAL OFFICERS 



HEADQUARTERS COMPANY 

First Lieutenant 

Lloyd G. Lewis (later Captain), Command- 
ing 

SUPPLY COMPANY 

First Lieutenants 

Irwin R. Cul'ins (later Captain), Command- 
ing 
Roy Tuchbreiter 

Second Lieutenant 
Neal J. Coltrin 



DENTAL DETACHMENT 

First Lieutenants 

Earl C. Kimbro (later Captain) 
John J. Holland (later Captain) 

VETERINARY DETACHMENT 

First Lieutenant 
Homer WDson 

Second Lieutenant 
John B. Grigsby 



ROSTER OF OFFICERS REASSIGNED OR DISCHARGED BEFORE REGIMENT EM- 
BARKED FOR OVERSEAS, INCLUDING SIXTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY 



Lieutenant Colonels 

John W. Rcig (later assigned to 124th Field 

Artillery) 
Charles B. Smith 

Majors 

Frederick C. Miller 
Morton C. Porter 

Chaplains 

John W. Ferris 
Claude M. Finnell 

Captains 

George W. Armbrust 

Charles Benson (later Major, Thirty-third 

Division Staff) 
John M. Evey (later Major, D. S., Thirty- 
third Division Staff) 
Harris F. Hall 
Roy M. Hawse 



Leo T. LeBrun 

Herbert B. McKahin (later Major, S. C.) 

Alfred E. Miller 

Clarence H. Preston 

William W. Scott 

Elijah L. Soper 

Ernest E. Stuil 

J. Frank Wahl 

Karl W. Wahlberg 

Frank J. Wahlheim 

William W. Warn 

Hammond W. Whitsitt 

First Lieutenants 

Albert Aisenstadt (later Major, M. C.) 

Robert L. Bacon 

O. C. Brown 

Jesse A. Crafton 

Joseph A. Cullen 

Charles Dickerson 

Douglas S. Elliott 



THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



599 



George H. Fromme 
Glen R. Hill 
Edgar J. Kober 
Bert F. Lavine 
James L. Lawry 
Albert W. Lindberg 
Charles B. Myatt 
Clarence P. Reid 
Robert L. Rezner 
Jo&eph B. Stone 
Barton R. Weston 
Walter H. Wood 



Second Lieutenants 

Charles O. Bastian 
William L. Dickson 
Harold H. Dodd 
Clyde H. Eaves 
Henry T. Johnson 
Warren A. Sidener 
Earl G. Smith 
Rudolph L. Torder 



ROSTER OF OFFICERS ASSIGNED OR REASSIGNED WHILE IN THE A. E. F. OTHER 

THAN DURING OPERATIONS 



Captains 

Oscar E. Carlstrom 
Franklin Dean (later Major) 
Hugh N. Harding 
Ivar Hendrickson (later Major) 
Gail Reed 

First Lieutenants 

Hjalmer H. Bergh 
Richard H. Conner 



Edgar W. Freeman 

Cecil B. Goose (iater Major) 

Lawrence K. Lewis 

Herbert J. Powell 

Frank H. Quinn (later Captain) 

Barrett Rogers 

Charles C. Shields 

Robert E. White 




OFFICERS OF HEADQUARTERS COMPANY 
Rear row : Lieutenants Poison, Conner, Houdek, Clute, Hootman and Shaw. 
Front Row: Lieutenants Blazer, Cederburg, Captain Lewis, Lieutenants Trued, Swedburg, Nelson. 



6oo 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




OFFICERS OF THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 
Top row: Captains George W. Armbrust, Roy M. Hawse, A. E. Miller, W. VV. Scott. 
Second row: Captains Elijah L. Soper, E. E. Stull, Frank J. Waldheim. 
Third row: Captain W. W. Warn, Lieutenants M. H. Cable and Harold M. Hootman. 
Bottom row: Lieutenants R. M. Houdek, Norman Meyer, E. W. Swedberg, Benedict Wolfner. 



THE 123RD FIELD ARTILLERY 



601 



Second Lieutenants 

Merwyn H. Cable (later First Lieutenant) 

Leyman W. Clark 

Harry C. Fairty 

Fred J. Hinkhouse 

Hiram F. Lay (later First Lieutenant) 

Oscar McPeak (later First Lieutenant) 

Norman Mever (later First Lieutenant) 



Robert E. Minium (later First Lieutenant) 

Arthur C. Nalied (later First Lieutenant) 

Einar B. Risberg (later First Lieutenant) 

Edgar J. Rule 

Robert J. Ryan 

Leslie A. Tracy 

Charles A. M. Waterhouse 

Benedict Wolfner 



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WINNERS OF THE FIRST PRIZE 
Both at the division and the corps shows this battery of the 123rd won first prize 




A VIEW OF BANTHEVILLE 



The 124th Field Artillery 

Colonel Horatio B. Hackett, Editor 
By Captain Robert J. Casey 

HE 124th Field Artillery had its beginning in 
June, 191 7, when the patriotic citizens of 
East St. Louis undertook to raise a regiment 
of infantry for service with the Illinois Na- 
tional Guard. Recruiting was rapid and the 
accomplishment of the task was in sight 
when the Governor announced a more press- 
ing need for the completion of the state's 
artillery brigade. Thereupon the unnamed 
infantry regiment became the Third Illinois 
Field Artillery. It was brought to strength 
almost immediately by the addition of three 
troops from the old First Illinois Cavalry. 
Colonel Gordon Strong was placed at the 
head of the new regiment and Lieutenant Colonel Horatio B. Hackett was 
appointed second in command. 

It would be difficult to imagine a less military organization than that 
which was mobilized at Springfield and inducted into the federal service early 
in August. None of the East St. Louis battalion had any previous acquain- 
tance with the army and most of the former cavalrymen were new recruits. 
In place of the prescribed fifty-three officers the regiment had only twenty- 
six. Of these only six knew anything about artillery. 

The outlook was discouraging. The enlisted personnel was excellent, 
earnest, loyal, willing and able to learn but woefully handicapped by the 
lack of experienced noncommissioned officers. One battery had been re- 
cruited from the foreign-born employees of the East St. Louis stock yards 

60.^ 




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ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 





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COLONEL HORATIO B. HACKETT 

Commanding the 124th Field Artillery. 



THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



605 




THE OLD FIRST C A\ ALRY KStORTS 
MARSHAT, JOFFRE 



and so few of the men spoke 
English that the commands in 
drill had to be given in a variety 
of Slavonic dialects. 

The War Department was 
unable to furnish artillery mate- 
riel and could give no promise 
as to when guns, horses and other 
very necessary equipment would 
be available. In the meantim? 
all instruction in artillery sub- 
jects was necessarily at a stand- 
still. A few photographs of ar- 
tillery in action gave the officers 
their only idea of what a gun was 
supposed to resemble. The men 
were denied even that slight as- 
sistance. They were taught 
standing gun drill and the posts 
of the cannoneers with sticks of 

wood serving as cannon. They were taught the movements of mounted drill 
with men representing horses and hitched together with harness made of 
twine. 

The wisest of crystal gazers could not have conjured a vision of the 
dim hills of Very, of Death Valley and Sheep Shank Hill, of Mont Sec, or the 

gassy forests of Romagne and Banthe- 
ville, as the mob-like squads jostled their 
way into a column of fours for the first 
march. The most optimistic could not 
have pictured this mass of men as an 
integral part of an orderly army. Their 
most sanguine admirer could hardly have 
ventured to guess that they would ever 
have a part in the winning of the war. 

The enlisted personnel seemed hope- 
lessly individual. The men acted as a 
unit in nothing. To coordinate these 
individualities into a workable unit pre- 
sented a problem that would have 
puzzled Archimedes. 

Then came the days of intensive 
training in Camp Logan, days of inten- 
sive grief as well as intensive drill. Here 
the regiment was rechristened the 124th 
MARSHAL JOFFRE Field Artillery and made a part of the 




6o6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Fifty-eighth Field Artil- 
lery Brigade. 

About the middle of 
September Colonel 
Strong became seriously 
ill and was forced to re- 
sign on account of physi- 
cal disability. The regi- 
ment thereby lost an 
enthusiastic and capable 
officer. His illness can 
be attributed directly to 
the great amount of en- 
ergy, labor and time he 
spent in the first days of 
the organization of the 
regiment. Colonel 
Strong, after recovering 
from his illness, attended 
an officers' training camp 
and later accepted a com- 
mission as major of ar- 
tillery in the Officer's 
Reserve Corps, thereby 
showing his intense pa- 
triotism in his desire to get into the service, even though he had to accept 
a lower grade than the one he formerly held. Lieutenant Colonel Hackett 
was promoted to the rank of colonel and placed in command of the regiment, 
remaining at its head until he was wounded on September 28 in the Argonne 
offensive. 

Guns came to the regiment during the winter of 191 7- 19 18 — 3-inch 
pieces that had outlived their usefulness in other organizations. A range 
was rented some ten miles away from the camp. It was a strip of flat land, 
long and narrow — more like a bowling alley than an artillery range but it 
served its purpose. The gun crews found new interest in their work when 
they first heard the crack of the cannon and the whine of a shell. The officers 
became oriented. They began to see the application of all the seemingly 
useless theory they had acquired at regimental and brigade schools. 

An officer was sent from the organization each week to attend the School 
of Fire at Fort Sill. Gradually a regiment began to appear out of the original 
chaos that had mobilized at Springfield. 

In May, 191 8, the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade was ordered 
overseas. The 124th left Houston May 14, was encamped at Camp Merritt 
a week and sailed aboard the Canadian Pacific transport Melita May 26. 

After debarking at Liverpool the Illinois cannoneers were taken to a 




COLOXEL GORDON STRONG 



THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



607 



rest camp at Winchester, England, whence, after a brief stay, they were rushed 
through Southampton across the channel to Havre and thence by train to the 
training area at Ornans and Valdahon, France. 

At the Second Corps Artillery School, where the three artillery regiments 
received 75-millimeter guns and new horse equipment, the Fifty-eighth Field 
Artillery Brigade received a rating as one of the best trained organizations 
in the A. E. F. This led to the shortening of the ordinary period of probation 
by a full month and the dispatch of these regiments to a sector where there 
was promise of activity. 

The 124th Field Artillery left Valdahon for the front August 22, 191 8. 
The batteries started overland for Besancon at 5 a. m. Supply and head- 
quarters companies entrained at Valdahon, leaving at 9 p. m. 




A GROUP OF "NOXCOMS ■ 

The highway leading down into the valley of the Doubs was the route 
followed by the legionaries of Caesar in their conquest of Gaul. From some 
learned source in the column came the information that one Varus also had 
marched down this road with the eagles of Rome before him and two hundred 
thousand men at his back to fight the Germans — and at the end of the road 
the Hun had overwhelmed and massacred his command. 

This cheerful news reached the head of the column just after it had 
passed through the tunnel between the valley of the Loue and the valley of 
the Doubs. The leading battery had halted for a rest, and the men were 
sitting alongside the road looking down upon the most wonderful panorama 
they had seen or were to see in France : a white road falling away between its 
rows of spear-pointed poplars, past sleepy villages to a glistening river. 



6o8 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



The caisson corporal of the first 
section received the news of the sad 
fate of Varus and passed it on for 
what it was worth to the gunner of 
the first piece. 

The gunner sniffed dubiously. 
"Two hundred thousand killed," 
he repeated. "Well, all I gotta say 
is that this guy Varus had blamed 
poor artillery." 

An hour and a half was allowed 
each battery for loading in Besangon, 
but none required half that time. A 
process of tripping refractory mules 
with an unexpected rush and hurling 
them head first into the little box 
cars facilitated the entraining by sev- 
eral minutes. 

The regiment detrained at Zoug. 
It was raining when the leading sec- 
tion arrived and continued to rain 
throughout the night. 

To hasten the unloading alter- 
nate sections were run to Pagny-sur- 
jVIeuse. About midnight a German 
bombing squadron visited Pagny and 
dropped three aerial torpedoes. For- 
tunately there were no troops at the 
unloading platform and the bombs fell harmlessly about a decoy lantern well 
removed from the track. 

After camping at Ecrouves for the night the regiment took to the road 
August 24. The Foret de la Reine was reached at 4:30 a. m., August 25, 
and permanent camp was pitched. Materiel, horses and men were camou- 
flaged under the dense foliage. Regimental headquarters were established at 
Boucq. 

At this time very few of the particulars of the regiment's mission had 
been made known. It was obvious from the amount of traffic on the roads 
to the front that an offensive of large proportions was in prospect — the dullest 
private in the rear rank was speedily aware of that. But the details of the 
plan were lacking. 

So for several days the regiment remained encamped. The rumbling 
of the guns came back like the roar of a distant surf. Otherwise there was 
little to indicate the presence of a war except an occasional enemy plane. 

In the meantime reconnaissance parties were at work along the front 
line picking positions for the regiment. Working squads were sent to Boucon- 




THE 124TH QUARTETTE 

Lockwood, Kimman, Kellar and Brophy, all 
from Peoria. 



THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



609 




x\0 MAN'S LAND FOR FOUR YEARS 

The view from Rambucourt. In the distance are Mont Sec at the left and Xivray-Man^oisin at 

the right. In the foreground are American trenches. 

ville on the night of September i to unload ammunition, and the artillery's 
purpose in the coming offensive began to take shape. 

Preparation of positions by the battery crews themselves was started at 
once. The working details were billeted in the wrecked buildings of Boucon- 
ville. All work was done at night. 

The need for caution became evident before the preparations had pro- 
gressed two days. Something in the changing scenery about Rambucourt, 
the town to the right of the regi- 
mental sector, caught the eye of 
the enemy and he immediately 
placed it under a heavy bombard- 
ment. Thenceforward Rambu- 
court was given no rest — shells 
and gas, gas and shells, alternat- 
ing in its daily strafing. 

Immediately north of Bou- 
conville is a small lake and on 
the wooded banks, almost in di- 
rect sight of Mont Sec, Batteries 
B and C took up their positions. 
To the second battalion was as- 
signed a ridge to the left of the 

village. Battery A was placed typical revetments ON 
at a crossroad behind the town. XIVRAY 




THE ROAD TO 



6io 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Something of the history of the sector was made evident when the bottom 
of a boat, in use as an ammunition ferry across the Httle lake between Bou- 
conville and Battery C, fell out. Divers, searching for the lost shells, brought 
up human bones. The floor of the lake was covered with the remains of the 
French who had held Mont Sec for fifteen minutes in one of the early offen- 
sives of the war and had paid some forty thousand men as the price for the 
brief tenure. 

The history of the collapse of the St. INIihiel salient under the battering 
of the greatest artillery concentration in history is too well known to need 
recounting here. 

The infantry went over the top at 5 o'clock on the morning of the 12th. 
At II o'clock came the order to cease firing. French patrols were at work 




THE TOWN OF MONT SEC AS SEEN FROM THE CREST OF MONT SEC 



on Mont Sec. One of the most famous German strongholds in France had 
fallen without a shot in its own defense. 

There was nothing left alive on the hill when the French searched the 
intricate tunnel system. Officers dead in their bunks, horses, dogs and field 
mice, dead though untouched by shell fire, gave mute testimony to the terrible 
effect of Number 5 gas. 

The rest of the drive was an artillery procession. The First Division, 
to which the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade was attached for the drive, 
was squeezed out of the combat by the encircling movement of the Forty- 
second and Twenty-sixth Divisions which closed the salient. Meanwhile the 
124th Field Artillery had come up as far as Nonsard, through a swamp which 
some maps showed to be impassable for foot soldiers, to say nothing of artil- 



THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



611 



lery. Several times the guns were hauled out of the mud and laid to fire on a 
suspected area only to be limbered up again and dragged forward. German 
artillery in the sector seemed to have been wiped out by the fire from the 
American guns. 

The march out of the St. Mihiel salient began on the night of September 
14. The 124th moved twenty-six kilometers to the woods near Gironville, 
and camped for the day, September 15. The history of the organization 
from this point until its arrival on the front near Verdun sounds like a chapter 
from Xenophon — "We then marched four stadia and three parasangs and 
arrived at the city of Kalipotmos, a flourishing place and well populated." 




WITH THE .'\MERICANS IN NONSARD 
A cheerful company back from the front. 



The 124th, however, saw no flourishing cities. It spent its days in forests 
and its nights on the road. And the rate of its marches would have troubled 
the leathery feet of Xenophon's mercenaries. 

Positions were taken in the old lines of the Verdun artillery defensive 
system behind Avocourt, and held with desultory firing until September 24, 
when an advance of some three kilometers was ordered. This brought the 
75's to a point only about 2,000 meters behind a very hot spot in the front 
line. 

The American offensive in the Meuse-Argonne sector began at 2:30 a. 
m., September 26, with a heavy barrage. So intense was the concentration 



6l2 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



of artillery fire that four batter- 
ies were placed virtually in a 
column, shooting over one an- 
other. 

The infantry of the Ninety- 
first Division, supported by the 
124th, went over the top at 5:30 
a. m. and encountered only per- 
functory resistance. The artil- 
lery fired to the extreme limits 
of its range, then limbered up 
and started forward once more. 
Roads from Avocourt north had 
been very nearly obliterated by 
artillery fire and well-placed 
mines. The second battalion cleared the woods beyond Avocourt that night, 
and took up a position at the \'ery-Cheppy crossroads. 

The first battalion was caught in a traffic jam of trucks, ration carts, 
ambulances and machine gun caissons, and did not get through to the cross- 
roads until the next day. 

Meanwhile the infantry had gone as far as the original preparation 
warranted. They encountered stiff resistance and set up a call for help. The 
batteries up forward were short of ammunition and there seemed to be no 
prospect of getting any. To increase the difficulty of the situation it began to 
rain and the soft clay that covered the path through No Man's Land speedily 




A GERMAN DUMMY TANK 




TERRAIN BETWEEN EPINONVILLE AND ECLISFONTAINE 
Over which the Ninety-first Division advanced with the support of the 124th Field Artillery. 



THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



613 




became glistening slime 
and tenacious bog 
through which cannon 
scarcely could be drawn. 

At about 3 p. m. on 
the 27th the order was 
passed down by the mili- 
tary police that the right 
of way was to be given 
to artillery and ammuni- 
tion trains at once. The 
stalled traffic pulled over 
to the side of the road 
and the batteries moved 
forward. Fear of a 
counterattack was grow- 
ing up ahead. To allay 

this feeling, Captain Bradford Moore and Battery E were sent forward to 
a position in the infantry lines between Epinonville and Eclisfontaine. This 
battery remained with the infantry through varying fortunes for two weeks. 

On the afternoon of September 28 Batteries A, F and D advanced to 
the valley north of Very and went into action. The batteries turned out to 
the south of the plank highway in a deep draw afterward christened "Death 
Valley" by the batteries stationed there. Evidences of fierce fighting were 
all about. Across the valley on the steep hillside was a wrecked battery of 
88's that evidently had been caught by the American barrage. Ten dead 
Germans lay scattered about the guns. That afternoon Colonel Hackett 
was wounded by a high explosive shell and compelled to leave the regiment. 



ON THE EPINONVILLE-ECLISFONTAINE ROAD 
Dugouts used by the Americans as first-aid stations. 




IN DEATH VALLEY 



6i4 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Major Frank L. Rearden was next 
in command. 

The regiment had just en- 
tered upon what proved to be one 
of the most trying weeks of its 
mihtary experience. On the night 
of September 29 the batteries 
came under severe shelling for the 
first time. Late that afternoon the 
second battalion moved to Epinon- 
ville. The men had scarcely dug 
themselves in when a zone fire 
began to sweep the town and the 
roads leading out of it in the vicin- 
ity of Major John D. White's post 
of command. 

On the following morning, 
Lieutenant Harry H. Wertz, a 
liaison officer, appeared at the sec- 
ond battalion post of command 
with eight shell fragments in his 
back. That evening Lieutenant 
Carl M. Wiley was wounded in the head by a bit of a high explosive shell. 
At 6 p. m. the bombardment increased in the vicinity of Battery F's 
position. Captain Albert A. Sercombe immediately visited the emplacements 
of the firing battery and ordered the men to get under cover. Then before 
he himself could gain shelter a shell burst only a few yards from him. A 
fragment struck him in the back and he died on the way to the hospital. 




MAJOR FRANK L. REARDEX 

Senior major of the 124th during combat service. 




LOOKING EAST FROM EPINONVILLE TOWARD IVOIRY 



THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



61S 



The next few days 
were days of continuous 
firing. For almost two 
weeks the 124th re- 
mained in action, sup- 
porting the Ninety-first, 
First and Thirty-second 
Divisions. Unofficial 
support also was given to 
the Thirty-seventh Divi- 
sion in its advance over 
the hill at Ivoiry. 

While the regiment 
was stationed in Death 
Valley it experienced its 
most disastrous air raid. 
Fifty men were wounded 
by bombs from enemy 
planes which flew over 
the valley October 2. 

Lieutenant Hobart 
A. Lawton assumed com- 
mand of Battery F after 
the death of Captain Ser- 
combe. On the morning 
of October 7 Lieutenant 
Lawton stopped at Major 
White's post of command 

for orders, then went to breakfast in a kitchen salvaged from German equip- 
ment in the little town. He had scarcely entered the building when a shell 
hit the roof, exploded on the tile and hurled a rain of iron fragments upon 
the men below. Of the eighteen men in the building none escaped. Eight, 
including Lieutenant Lawton, were killed outright. 

The regiment was relieved to get new horse equipment October 11. In 
the meantime, on October 4, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph A. Rogers had as- 
sumed command. 

An order assigning the 124th Field Artillery to the First Army as army 
artillery was received soon after the arrival of the regiment at the Bois de 
Brocourt, a rest and re-equipment camp near Verdun. 

The 123rd Regiment had lost so many horses that it was decided not to 
attempt to send it forward again. So this regiment was withdrawn for motor- 
ization and its horses issued to the 124th and 122nd. 

The 124th left the Bois de Brocourt for the front at 1:30 p. m., Octo- 
ber 24. On the night of the 26th it reached and occupied positions at Ro- 
magne. The batteries were placed in an old German munitions park and 




LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOSEPH A. ROGERS 

Commander of the 124th during the latter part of active 

operations. 



6i6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




IN THE STREETS OF ROMAGNE 

well camouflaged, but trouble started the first day and continued until the 
last gun was pulled out after the big drive had gone forward. 

At daylight the shelling of Romagne commenced. As a variation the 
enemy artillery swept east and west along the road and the ''overs" and 
''shorts" fell indiscriminately among marching infantry, artillery, kitchens, 
machine gun carts and transport wagons. As a result of observation by the 

famous Von Rich tho fen aerial cir- 
cus, the fire steadily improved. 

Gas attacks of varying nature 
and intensity began on the evening 
of October 27. Lieutenant Miles 
Parmely, regimental telephone offi- 
cer, was caught in a gas pocket near 
the second battalion post of com- 
mand and was evacuated. He died 
in a hospital. 

Lieutenant Stevenson P. Lewis 
was killed on the morning of Oc- 
tober 31 while locating an observa- 
.tion post. Pinned to his undershirt 
was found the Croix de Guerre, 
awarded him by the French govern- 
ment when he was in the American 
ambulance service early in the war. 
He had never spoken of the decora- 
tion and only a few intimate friends 
knew that he possessed it until his 




MAJOR CHARLES E. WHEELER 



THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



617 



personal effects were removed from 
his body. 

A new drive was scheduled for 
the morning of November i. Bat- 
tery A was ordered to send forward 
a platoon of two guns and four cais- 
sons to advance with the infantry of 
the Eighty-ninth Division. The 
platoon went forward as ordered; 
was caught in three barrages before 
it had gone two kilometers; found 
the path through the Bois de Banthe- 
ville obliterated by shelling from high 
calibre marine rifles; and was forced 
to travel through No Man's Land, 
between the fire of friend and foe, 
for more than half a kilometer. 

A trail back into the woods was 
found, but not until two caissons had 
been wrecked and half the horses in 
the platoon killed. The remnants of 
the platoon arrived at the point des- 
ignated in time to go over the top 




IN THE BOIS DE BANTHEVILLE 

A portion of the Kriemhilde Stellung, taken by 

men of the Eighty-ninth Division. 



behind the first wave of the infantry, following the line of the American bar- 
rage as far as Remonville. 

The day was chill and damp and the artificial fog of powder smoke and 
mustard gas scurried through the hollows before a high cold wind. Dead 
German machine gunners, victims of the barrage, seemed to cover the hill- 
top, and the infantry swept forward against little or no resistance. 

From the edge of the woods on the crest of the hill north of the Bois de 




-v^viir^W r* "h. r* 



INFANTRY ADVANCING NEAR ROMAGNE 



6i8 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




THE TOWN OF BANTHEVILLE UNDER FIRE 

As photographed from an airplane at an altitude of 3500 meters. 



Bantheville, the whole panorama of the battle was visible. The thin lines of 
American doughboys were going forward through the haze of gas and smoke, 
the serpentine barrier of smoke puffs ahead of them marking the edge of the 
barrage; a few isolated tongues of flame were to be seen at the edge of the 
woods where scattered machine gun nests were still defying the American 
barrage in a last hopeless stand. 

In the distance was a bombarded road up a long hill over which the 
harrassed German retreat was in full progress. Men in field-gray were hur- 
rying up the slopes to the north of Remonville. Some succeeded in reaching 
the covering forest. Others were caught in the onrushing tide of the barrage. 
And toward the American line flowed a constant stream of the Kaiser's troops 
with their hands in the air. 



THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



619 




GERMAN SAWMILL ON THE BEAUMONT-LANEUVILLE ROAD 
Where the 356th Infantry, Eighty-ninth Division, got its last shelling, at 10:45 a. m., 

November 11, 1018. 

In the meantime our batteries in Romagne were subjected to a care- 
fully adjusted artillery fire and A, C, D and E suffered heavily. 

During the next three days the war became a parade. The Germans 
were falling back to the Meuse in haste and there was little work for the 
artillery until the enemy rear guard was stiffened to screen the crossing of 
the river at Stenay and Pouilly. The 124th pressed forward so rapidly that 
during the greater part of the advance from Remonville to Beauclair the regi- 
ment was within half a kilometer of the infantry front lines. 

The batteries, how- 
ever, encountered trouble 
at Beauclair. The ter- 
rain afforded no natural 
protection for artillery, 
and before trenches 
could be dug a zone fire, 
probably directed at the 
town, had fallen in Bat- 
tery A's emplacement, 
wounding 30 per cent of 
the gun crew. 

On the night of No- 
vember 6 the 124th was 
ordered to positions on 
the left bank of the 
Meuse over a road that 
was under constant shell 
fire. The route was the wrecked bridge at stenay 




620 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




TWO MORE MINUTES TO FIGHT 

The 353rd Infantry passing the church at Stenay at 10:58 a. m., November 11, 1918. 

through Laneuville, then shivering under a bombardment by 21's, and out 
upon the Beaumont hiirhway. which machine gunners from across the river 

kept under a continuous fire. 

The batteries ran this gauntlet 
with few losses, and dug emplace- 
ments between the stations of the 
infantry outposts, ahead of the 
front lines, for a muzzle-to-muzzle 
duel with the 77's across the 
]\Ieuse. They were still in these 
positions November 1 1 , waiting for 
the engineers to build a pontoon 
which would enable them to cross 
over into Pouilly and follow the in- 
fantry advance which had been re- 
sumed that morning. 

A month later the Fifty-eighth 
Brigade was returned to the 
Thirty-third Division, and marched 
into Luxemburg. Owing to a scarc- 
ity of horses, batteries D, E and 
F were equipped with mules and 
MAJOR CLINTON G. BECKETT took the hundred-mile hike as the 




THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



621 




THE REGIMENTAL BAND GIVES A COxNCERT 
On St. Patrick's day, loig, at Rollingen. 

only mule-drawn battalion of 75's in the United States service. The regiment 
remained in the reserve of the Army of Occupation until ordered home. 

By the middle of March the officers learned that the regiment soon 
would go back to the States and actual orders were received a few weeks 
later. On April 28 the regiment marched out of Luxemburg. The com- 
mand embarked on the America May 14 and ten days later landed in Hobo- 
ken, N. J. Here Colonel Hackett resumed command and led the regiment 
to Chicago. The whole city seemed to have turned out to greet the return- 
ing troops, who paraded through the "Loop" district amid the cheers of 
thousands of men and women. Two days later the regiment formally was 
mustered out of the service. The two East St. Louis batteries went home 
intact the following day, and there, too, they were received enthusiastically. 

The record of the 124th Field Artillery is a glorious one. Its casualties 
were the highest in the brigade. Few artillery regiments in the A. E. F. lost 
so heavily. Twenty-eight officers and men were killed in action or died from 
wounds. One hundred and sixty-nine were evacuated. These figures tell the 
story of the regiment's service on the battlefield. 




02 2 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE i.mih FIELD ARTILLERY WHO WERE KILLED IN 
ACTION, DIED OF WOUNDS OR DIED OF DISEASE 0\ FRSEAS 



Captain 

Albert A. 



Sercombe 



First Lieutenant 

Miles M. Parmely 

Second Lieutenants 

Stevenson P. Lewis 
Hobart A. Lawton 

Sergeants 

Thurman Bishop 
Ulysses G. Fletcher 
Frank L. Gill 

Corporals 

James R. Buxton 
Ray Mull 
Roy H. Sumpter 
Joseph A. O'Leary 
Charles L. Wing 

Mechanics 

Floyd Anderson 
Harold C. Buchanan 
Stearns C. Cole 

Wagoner 

Elmer E. Clevenger 



Privates, First Class 
William G. Allen 
Christopher Everett 
William A. Lambersky 
Harry Lotze 
Clifford L. Shaffner 

Privates 

Alfred N. Allen 
James R. Borders 
Arthur C. Bundy 
Harry A. Colson 
Alfred A. Foehner 
William T. Goodwin 
Russell Gray 
Charles J. Haye 
Wiliam Hilliard 
Richard Howell 
Peter E. Hurst 
George H. James 
Thomas J. Lavelle 
William Lyman 
John L. Madden 
Douglas R. Matthews 
John Mazzali 
Burt F. Revnolds 



DECORATIONS RECEIVED BY OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



First Lieutenant 

Mark M. Duffy 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Sergeants 

George H. Ammons 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Joseph D. Cassidy 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Clarence L. Wright 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Corporal 

Joseph A. O'Leary 

Distinguished Service Cross 



First Class Privates 
Ralph Silloway 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Milton C. Webb 

Distinguished Service Cross 

Privates 

William W. Fink 

Distinguished Service Cross 
Perry F. Modrow 

Distinguished Service Cross 



CITATIONS FOR THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 



First Lieutenant Mark M. Duffy, Medical Corps: 

Near Romagne, November i, iqiS, Lieutenant Duffy displayed exceptional bravery in car- 
ing for the wounded and directing their evacuation under heavy shell fire and rescued several 
wounded men. 

Sergeant George H. Ammons, Battery A: 

Near Remonville, October 31, 1018, while in charge of the limbers and horses of a platoon 
sent to the front line infantry trenches, Sergeant Ammons, although himself wounded, took the 



THE 124 TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



623 



(ilace of a driver who had fallen from his horse. He refused medical attention until all the pieces 
were in position and the limbers and horses taken to a place of safety. 

Sergeant Joseph D. Cassidy, Battery C: 

Near Romagne. November i, 1Q18, after three members of his gun crew had been wounded 
under heavy shell fire, Sergeant Cassidy, alone, kept his gun in action. Later, after reorganizing 
his section, he administered first-aid treatment to the wounded men. 

Sergeant Clarence L. Wright, Battery C: 

At Romagne, November i, 1018, after three members of his gun crew had been wounded 
during heavy shell tire, Sergeant Wright, alone, kept his piece in action for fifteen minutes until 
assistance reached him. He was wounded in action shortly afterward. 

Corporal Joseph A. O'Leary (deceased) Battery F: 

Near Epinonville, October 7, 1918, Corporal O'Leary left shelter and volunteered as a 
stretcher-bearer, making frequent trips to and from gun positions under heavy fire until he was 
killed by a shell. 

Private ( First-Class ) Ralph Silloway, Battery C: 

Near Romagne, November 1-3, igiS, under heavy shell fire, while other members of his 
section were all wounded or engaged in lirst-aid work. Private Si!loway, alone, kept his piece 
firing. Two days later, when the chief of his section was wounded. Private Silloway took com- 
mand of the section and followed the barrage. 

Private (First-Class ) Milton C. Webb, Medical Detachment: 

Near Romagne, November i, 1018, Private Webb, wounded whi'e administering aid to other 
men under shell fire, remained on duty in disregard to his own injury. 

Private William W. Fink, Battery A: 

Near Remonville, October 31, iqi8. Private Fink, a driver, was seriously wounded by shell 
fire when going through front line infantry trenches with his platoon, but he remained at his post, 
refusing to seek medical attention until he fell from his horse exhausted. 

Private Perry F. Modrow. Medical Detachment : 

Near Romagne, November 1, loiS, Private Modrow was wounded while serving at the bat- 
talion aid station under heavy shell fire, but he insisted on continuing at work until compelled 
to so to the rear. 




WLWERS OF THE DISTLNGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 

Left to right: Sergeant Clarence L. Wright, First Class Private Milton C. Webb, Private 

Perrv F. Modrow. 



624 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



THE FOLLOWING OFFICER OF THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY WAS AWARDED, BY 
GENERAL PERSHING, CERTIFICATE FOR ESPECIALLY MERITORIOUS AND 

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE 

Lieutenant Colonel 
Joseph A. Rogers 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY WHO WERE CITED FOR 
GALLANTRY BY GENERAL PERSHING AND GENERAL BELL 



t Received citations both from General Bell and General Pershing. 

* Received citation only from General Pershing. 

All others received citations only from General Bell. 



Colonel 

t Horatio B. Hackett 

Lieutenant Colonel 
J. A. Rogers 

Major 

t John D. White 

Captains 

t Robert J. Casey 
Elmer O. Furrow 
Russell Lord 

* Philip H. Newman 

* Albert A. Sercombe 

First Lieutenants 
Elmer Erickson 

* Stevenson P. Lewis 
t Miles M. Parmely 

Donald K. Stier 
t Al. S. Vinnedge 

Second Lieutenants 
t Clarence H. Hauss 

* Hobart A. Lawton 
Richard F. Nedrow 
Harry H. Wertz 

Regiment Sergeant Major 
Charles E. Herman 

First Sergeants 

Carl B. Erickson 
William J. McKernan 
John L. Smith 

Color Sergeant 

Frederick F. Smith 

Sergeants 

Carl L. Baier 
t Edward L. Buehlman 
Merrel Collard 
Harry A. Coops 



Gerald Crump 
* LHysses C. Fletcher 
Hugh M. Hogan 
James H. Hurt 
George R. Laswell 
Henry Leonard 
t Ray Levi 
t Frederick Lowder 
Clarence F. McCarty 
William D. McCarthy 
*Roy H. Mull 
t Charles W. Ruckel 
Lester F. Stevenson 
James G. Thomas 
Joseph E. Turner 
Glynn W. White 
Harry O. Wood 

Corporals 

Elmer W. Acker 
Leo J. Amhs 
Clayton Below 
Thomas Biggins 
John Gasporotti 
Jesse E. Edwards 
Benjamin T. Erwin 
Clyde F. Everts 
Cecil Fitzgerald 
Carl Fitzwater 
Wm. Gale 
George D. Gillespie 
Forrest L. Godman 
Ora F. Hire 
Harold Hoffacker 
Edward H. Holzhammer 
Walter Horton 
Henry B. E. Huddle 
James R. Hudson 
Adney R. Hursey ^ 
Virgil A. Jackson 
George Krieg 
Charles J. Landgraf 
Rudolph J. Lentz 
John H. Lynch 



THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



625 



Raymond F. McFarland 
Joseph R. McHale 
Robert L. Niblick 
Walter Reinhold 
Claude Rittenhause 
Lewis D. Parmelee 
Eugene Riley 
Frank Runn 
Marion Samples 
Charles Seekatz, Jr. 
Arthur J. Schmidt 
Herbert T. Schmitt 

tFrank Simon 
Frank E. Smith 
Wm. T. Smith 
Daniel H. Sprecher 
Wm. M. Underwood 

t Herschel K. Warrick 
Perry Lee Werts 
Fillmore Whitver 

Bugler 

Ermund Scholz 

Chief Mechanic 

William T. Hedrick 
Frank R. Parker 
Stuart V. Roland 

Mechanics 

John Anderson 
Thomas A. Hall 
Willie C. Williams 

Privates, First Class 
George B. Barnes 
Pawal Brazinski 
Calvin Bridges 
Virgil J. Brueggeman 
Paul Cable 
Evan C. Carlson 
Lea L. Claycombe 
Leo Domrose 
Willard Folks 
Frank A. Fri 
Aldyth E. Gibbs 
Louis M. Gibson 
Alfred W. Glatthaar 
Ford A. Gossard 
t Joseph M. Hamrouge 
Olaf J. Hilliard 



Harold Hudson 
Linwood Keeler 
Wm. A. Layton 
Roy P. Libka 
Luke A. Meadows 
Sven M. Magnuson 
Frank A. Maloney 
Vernie J. Mavity 
Benjamin Mizerka 
Lloyde Newton 
Ralph J. Reed 
John Robinson 
Abraham Rogul 
Frank H. Pitner 
t James J. Smat 
Julius J. Thiry 
George Waddell 
Lunford W. Williams 
Henry T. Williamson 
Louis Youngman 

Privates 

Charles F. Aurell 
William L. Aurell 
Charles R. Bean 

t Henry J. Bouthot 
Joseph V. Carey 
Harold B. Christy 
Chester E. Davis 
Martin Duvall 
Joseph R. Flanagan 
Frank Gillengerten 
Lawrence W. Halvorsen 
Olie Hopperstad 
Cloyd N. Jenkins 
Hubert G. Kneedler 
Charles A, Lang 
Guy Masterson 

t Urban D. Miller 
Ray N. Palmer 

t Jan Radovich 
Isidore J. Schmitt 
Albert Strom 
Homer F. Summc 
Bernhard K. Totland 
Oscar Watkins 
Allen G. West 
Leslie Westerling 
Edward L. Wohlgemuth 



OFFICERS OF THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY WHO SERVED OVERSEAS 



Colonels 

Horatio B. Hackett 
A. L. Keesling 

Lieutenant Colonels 
Robert W. Clark 
John W. Reig 
Joseph A. Rogers 



Majors 

Clinton G. Beckett. M. C. 
Frank L. Rearden 
Charles E. Wheeler 
John D. White 



62 6 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




CAPTAIN'S OF THE 124TH FIELD AK'1ILLER\ 
Top row: William H. Bennett, Robert J. Casey, Ralph Cook, Elmer (.). Furrow. 
Second row: Edward S. Gould, C. M. Hardison, Russell Lord, Bradford V. Moore. 
Third row: Philip H. Newman, R. M. Peters, Truman Piantz, Jr.. Ralph J. Selman. 
Bottom row: Albert A. Sercombe, R. R. Stafford, Morell Tnmlin, Roy A, Westerfield. 



THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



627 



( aptains 

William H. Bennett, M. C. 
Robert J. Casey 
Bert V. Clayton 
Thomas L. Fekete, Jr. 
Ivan L. Foster 
Elmer O. Furrow- 
Edward S. Ciould 
Carl M. Hardison 
James A. Holland 
Ridgely Hudson 
Russe'l Lord 
Bradford V. Moore 
Roland E. Nctcott 
Philip H. Newman 
Russell M. Peters 
Truman P antz, Jr. 
Ralph J. Sclman 
Albert A. Sercombe (deceased) 
Robert E. Shontz 
Robert R. Stafford 
Morell Tomlin 
Roy A. Westerfield 

First Lieutenants 

Henri S. Babcock, M. C. 
Clayton A. Beall, V. C. 
Walter H. Bentley 
Charles J. Bobinette 
Byron B. Carmichael 
Victor Y. Coulter, D. C. 
William A. Crookston 
Harry H. Devereux 

Mark M. Duffy, M. C. (later Captain) 
William C. Dunham 
Russell D. E;lis 
Elmer Erickson 
Maurice F. Geehan, M. C. 
George M. Gillespie (later Captain) 
Earl G. Grissel 
Stanley G. Harris 
Oswald B. Higgins 
Charles W. B. Hill, Chaplain 
James L. Jones 
Stevenson P. Lewis (deceased) 
William W. Lyons 
Thomas D. Mackie 
* Harrison W. Maltby, M. C. 
Thomas C. McGee 



(iuy R. Mercer 

Ray E. Meyer 

Edgar S. Montague 

Ira B. Mo wry, DC. 

Miles M. Parme y (deceased) 

Frederick W. Ration 

Wendell J. Phillips 

Lawrence E. Richardson 

William A. Rodger 

Paul C. Sharlock 

Orrin R. Smith 

Donald K. Stier 

Warren A. Tipton 

Al S. Vinnedge 

Alvah H. Warren, Jr. 

Fred S. Wil.bur 

Second LiejUenants 

George C. Baldwin 

Welker E. Barton 

Ward F. Bates 

Alfred M. Broiling, V. C. 

Michael Cody, Jr. 

John E. Dowling 

George B. Ferree 

H. O. Gedicks 

Jesse R. Gibson 

Roy L. Hammond 

Clarence H. Hauss 

Julian C. Jaeckel 

Robert F. Jones 

William A. Laflin 

Hobart A. Lawton (deceased) 

O^a E. McKenzie 

George I. Moseley 

Richard F. Nedrow 

Malcolm R. Rodger, Jr. 

William M. Sealy 

Frank J. Sweeney 

Carl B. Thompson 

Thomas D. Tifft 

Joseph W. Timmons, M. C. 

Charles A. Wagner 

Raymond L. Wamester 

Harry H. Wertz 

Carl M. Wiley 

Carlos D. Wiseman 

Mortimer Woodson 



OFFICERS WHO WERE WITH THE REGIMENT DURING THE TRAINING CAMP 

PERIOD 



Colonel 

Gordon Strong 

Majors 

Daniel W. Rogers, M. C. 
Charles A. Walz 



Captains 

Ralph Cook 
Max R. Hoffman 
Clark Nixon 
Gail Reed 

Thomas J. Simpson 
Herbert W. Styles 



62 8 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



First Lktitenants 

Albert Aiscnstadl 
Robert S. Bunn 
Harry A. Harris 
James A. Lee, Chaplain 
James L. McWilliams 
Lanson H. Pratt 



Second Lieutenants 

Warren A. B reck en ridge 
Irvin Cassity 
John Godlewski 
Levi M. Hall 
Leslie S. Lowden 
Peter A. Rex. V. C. 
Robert P. Williams 




LIEUTENANTS OF THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 
Top row: Donald K. Stier, A. H. Warren, Jr., Walker E. Barton, Michael Cody, Jr. 
Second row: George B. Ferree' C. H. Hauss, Robert F. Jones. Wil iam A. Laffin. 
Third row: Hobart A. Lawton, Malcolm R. Rodger, Jr., Wi liam M. Sealy, C. D. Wiseman. 



THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 



629 




FIRST LIEUTENANTS OF THE 124TH FIELD ARTILLERY 
Top row: Clayton A. Beall, William C. Dunham, Elmer Erickson, Ivan L. Foster (captain). 
Second row: Stanley G. Harris, Stevenson P. Lewis, Thomas D Mackie. 
Third row: Ray E. Mever, E. S. Montague, Miles M. Parmely, F. W. Patton. 
Bottom row L H. Pratt, L. E. Richardson, William A. Rodger, Orrm R. Smith. _ 




H 

O 
o 

O 
> 

o 

m 
H 




THE MEUSE RIVER AT STENAY 



The 108th Ammunition Train 

Lieutenant Colonel Walter J. Fisher, Editor 

EFORE the war Chicago knew them as mem- 
bers of the famous ''Fighting Seventh " 
Even now, after having won fame in France 
as the io8th Ammunition Train, the Irish 
veterans use the old name interchangeably 
with the new, for it links their record with 
that of their fathers, who fought in the 
Spanish-American War under the colors of 
the Seventh Illinois Infantry. 

When the Chicago Irish regiment fol- 
lowed Colonel Daniel IMoriarty down to 
Camp Logan, any suggestion that the or- 
ganization give up its historic name would 
have provoked a fight, but a few months 
later the War Department announced re- 
organization plans which upset all traditions 
of the national guard. The "Fighting Sev- 
enth" suffered with the rest. 

Although its record did not suffice to 
save for the regiment its name and identity, it did win an important recogni- 
tion. To the old Seventh was assigned the responsibility of serving as divi- 
sional trains. Major General Bell described this duty as "a severe and dan- 
gerous task" upon which the success or failure of the Thirty-third Division 
might depend and in which there would be little glory and much hard work. 
For service as the io8th Ammunition Train Companies A to F, inclu- 
sive, of the old regiment were selected. Later Company A of the old Fifth 

631 



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PIpibR: -^;C:~,3£5^ 



632 



Il.LTNOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



Infantry, from which the machine gun com- 
panies of the Thirty-third Division had been 
formed, was added as a wagon company, 
but the rest of the personnel came from 
•'Colonel Dan's" roster. Colonel Moriarty 
was made commander of the trains, with 
Lieutenant Colonel John ^L Clasby of the 
old Seventh in command of the ammunition 
train. Early in November Lieutenant Col- 
onel Clasby resigned, and Lieutenant Col- 
onel Charles D. Center of the old Fifth was 
named to succeed him. 

In December, after having been sent to 
France ahead of the division. Lieutenant 
Colonel Center was promoted to a colonelcy 
and made commander of the io8th Train 
Headquarters and Military Police, succeed- 
ing Colonel Moriarty, who had resigned. 
jNIajor John V. Clinnin was transferred from 
the 131st Infantry and placed in command 
of the 1 08th Ammunition Train with the 
rank of lieutenant colonel. 

Lieutenant Colonel Clinnin headed the 
train until April, 1918, just before the divi- 
sion sailed. At that time he was made a 
colonel and placed in charge of all the trains, 
a post he was later to exchange for the com- 
mand of the 130th Infantry. Walter J. 
Fisher, then lieutenant colonel of the 122nd 
Field Artillery, was appointed commander 
of the 1 08th Ammunition Train, and re- 
mained at the head of the organization 
throughout the remainder of its career. 
Meanwhile the officers and men of the train had been busy with the 
mysteries of their new service. They had been trained as infantrymen. To 
be called upon suddenly to "skin" mules, pilot trucks and master the intri- 
cacies of mounted drill was not an easy task, especially in view of the fact 
that at Camp Logan equipment was slow in arriving. Despite their handi- 
caps the men of the train soon mastered their new job, and when the divi- 
sion sailed no regular army outfit could have harangued mules more fluently, 
transported shells more rapidly, or drilled with greater precision. 

The division sailed in May. With the rest of the Thirty- third the am- 
munition train was sent from Texas to Hoboken, but the train actually sailed 
for France by way of INIontreal and Halifax, going first to Liverpool, then 
across England to Southampton and finally over the channel to Havre. On the 




LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN M 
CLASBY 



THE 108th ammunition TRAIN 



(>3S 



trip across the Atlantic the ammunition train recorded its first death, Private 
Frank E. Gaal, a member of the medical detachment, suffering a fracture of 
the skull. 

In France the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade, including the io8th 
Ammunition Train, was detached from the rest of the division. While the 
infantry units went into a training area back of the British lines, the gun- 
ners and the ammunition train were sent to Valdahon, or its vicinity. The 
ammunition train was billeted in the town of Villafans, about forty miles from 
the Swiss border in south central France. 

Immediately the train encountered trouble. Horses fit for the gruelling 
work of hauling ammunition could hardly be found. The train, before leav- 
ing the United States, had turned over to another division all the animals 
used at Camp Logan, and the horses issued in France were decidedly inferior. 
But the train made light of its troubles. The horses were groomed and 
trained as if they were thoroughbreds. Even when it became evident that 
a sufficient number of motor trucks would not be available officers and men 
overcame the shortage by working at night to keep their equipment in re- 
pair. It was necessary to use trucks continuously, but the equipment was 
kept in good shape, and schedules were maintained at all times. "The am- 
munition must get there" was the slogan adopted by the organization and 
"get there" it did. regardless of whatever obstacles there were in the way. 

Early in August it 
became evident that the 
brigade was to go into 
action. The ammunition 
train was ordered to haul 
shells and supplies to 
loading platforms near 
the railway station at 
Valdahon. After ten 
days of this work the 
brigade was ordered to 
the front on August 22. 
The horse battalion 
loaded at Besancon. 
while headquarters and 
the motor battalion went 
overland with their mo- 
tor equipment. Provi- 
sion was made for 
enough ammunition to 
supply the brigade in any 
emergencv. 

The 'brigade moved . ^^'^^^ OF the ammunition train 

^, J r TT 1 , I" Villafans, where the train spent nearly three months in 

northward from Valdn- preparation for active service. 




634 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




PANORAMA OF VILLAFANS 



hon, through Toul and 
Nancy, to the St. Mihiel 
sector, detraining just 
south of Rambucourt 
and j\Iont Sec, where the 
famous First Division 
was holding the hne. The 
artillerymen were held 
in reserve until Septem- 
ber 10, but the ammuni- 
tion train immediately 
began moving great 
stores of shells up to the 
most advanced posts for 
the 75's of the 122nd and 
124th Field Artillery 
Regiments and the 155's of the 123rd Field Artillery. As it was estimated 
that the brigade would need 200,000 rounds on the first day of the attack, 
the train's task was a difficult one. Nevertheless, the ammunition dumps 
ivere piled high with shells when the gunners moved forward. 

The St. Mihiel attack began on September 12. At dawn, under the pro- 
tection of a hail of fire from the artillery, the infantry went over the top. 
As the line moved for- 
ward the trucks and 
wagons of the ammuni- 
tion train followed, car- 
rying fresh supplies to 
the advance positions of 
the artillery. 

The first four kilo- 
meters, from Rambu- 
court to a point beyond 
Seicheprey, would have 
beaten any but American 
drivers. The terrain was 
pitted with shell holes, 
some of them thirty feet 
deep and twice as wide, 
where the German 380- 
millimeter and the Amer- 
ican 16-inch guns had 
found a common mark. 
A month of almost in- 
cessant rain had made father O'HEARN celebrating mass at 
the battlefield a morass. villafans 




THE 108TH AMMUNITION TRAIN 



635 




How the ammunition got 
through only the men who 
cursed and prayed and 
floundered and pushed in 
their back-breaking ad- 
vance can tell, but get 
through it did. 

For three days and 
nights no one slept. Every 
man was out in the mud, 
under shell fire, keeping 
the ammunition moving 
forward to the guns. They 
had nothing to eat after 
they had exhausted the 
emergency rations of 
corned beef and hard tack 
which had been placed un- 
der every driver's seat. 

The train made good. 
Ammunition reached the 
firing line on time and in 
adequate quantities. The 
task was so well per- 
formed that Brigadier 
General Henry D. Todd, 
Jr., the brigade com- 
mander, cited the ammunition train in orders for demonstrated capability. 

The Americans had advanced fifteen kilometers in the St. Mihiel drive, 
reaching Nonsard, before the brigade was withdrawn. Then, instead of go- 
ing to a rest area, the train followed the gunners overland to a sector north- 
west of Verdun to await the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Ammunition train 
headquarters were established in Brabant-en-Argonne, and there, despite the 
fact that the town, or what was left of it, was under heavy shell fire from 
the German long range guns, preparations were made for the coming battle. 
In five nights the train moved 200,000 rounds. This would have been an 
achievement in any circumstances; it was especially remarkable for the rea- 
son that the roads were jammed with French troops moving out of the line 
and American troops marching in. 

On September 26 the offensive was launched with the Illinois brigade 
supporting the Ninety-first Division. The ammunition train lived up to its 
reputation. From the beginning of the drive food and shells were carried 
forward in the face of the greatest difficulties. It was at this time that the 
ammunition train lost its first man killed by the enemy, Frank H. Weaver, a 
private in the wagon company, being mortally wounded by shell fire. 



LIEUTENANT COLONEL WALTER J. FISHER 

Commander of the 108th Ammunition Train during its 
service overseas. 



636 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



After ten days of constant fight- 
ing the Ninety-first Division was re- 
lieved by the Thirty-second Divi- 
sion, but the Fifty-eighth Artillery 
Brigade remained in the line. 

By September 28 the advance 
had reached "Death V^alley," just 
south of Epinonville. At this place, 
on the evening of October 2, while 
;he men were at mess, protected 
from the enemy's machine gun and 
irtillery fire by high hills, the Ger- 
mans, swooping over them with 
bombing planes, showered them with 
deadly missiles, causing a death list 
of seventeen and, in wounded, sixty- 
three litter cases. Five of the killed 
and nine of the wounded were from Company E, ic8th Ammunition Train, 
and about thirty of that company's horses were killed. Six days later, in the 
same vicinity, the enemy dropped one of his largest shells into the position 
of the headquarters of the horse battalion, stationed on the Avocourt-Very 
road, just back of Very. Three men were killed and several were wounded, 
some seriously, by this shell. 

As the drive progressed the train continued to lose men in killed and 
wounded. There was no work more dangerous than that of getting up the 
ammunition. But regardless of the casualties, the work of rushing shells 
forward did not cease. 




THE RUINS OF AVOCOURT 




IN THE TOWN OF BEAUMONT 



THE 108TH AMMUNITION TRAIN 



637 



It was not until October 16 that the brigade was ordered to rest billets, 
the ammunition train going to Brabant-en-Argonne. The exhausted gunners 
and drivers plodded back twenty kilometers over ground wrested from the 
enemy and then for five days they rested and prepared for their next fighting. 

The ''rest" period gave the ammunition train little leisure. Food had 
to be carried as usual, and quantities of equipment had to be delivered to 
various units of the brigade to repair the damage done in battle. The train 
performed these tasks, notwithstanding the fact that its equipment, owing to 
its being used continuously, w:;s greatly in need of repairs. 




A STREET IN BRABANT-EN-ARGONNE 
Trucks of the loSth Ammunition Train in the foreground; German prisoners in the background. 

October 21 found artillerymen and train companies back in the line, in 
and around Gesnes and Romagne, ready for the final thrust in the Argonne 
that was to break the German line and force the signing of the armistice. 

The crowning battle began November i. It brought to the ammunition 
train the severest test of the organization's active service. Shells and food 
had to be taken from Romagne to Bantheville, Remonville, Barricourt, 
Nouart, Beauclair, Beaufort, Laneuville, and beyond Stenay, over treacherous 
roads swept constantly by the enemy's fire. The roads were within easy 
range of German artillery and machine guns across the Meuse, and for great 
distances were subject to direct observation by the enemy. A drizzling rain, 
moreover, made progress difficult, even for the horse-dawn vehicles. 

All these difficulties and dangers the train surmounted. Extraordinary 
quantities of ammunition — enough to make possible the terrific fire laid down 



638 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 





^ 


i 


gi| 


^■^'■BS 


HBK?(ifrf?*'ii'"'" ' 


1 


^S 



by the artillery brigade 
— were delivered. From 
the moment the battle 
began to the very hour 
of the armistice the 
needed shells were avail- 
able. Three citations 
written by the com- 
manders of the Eighty- 
ninth, Ninety-first and 
Thirty-second Divisions, 
and three others from 
A DUGOUT IN THE FORET DE HESSE Brigadier General Todd 

gave official credit to the ammunition train for its services in this last drive. 
With the signing of the armistice and the cessation of hostilities, the 
horse battalion, which was commanded by Major Clyde C. Miner, was re- 
assembled as a unit. Just before the opening of the St. Mihiel offensive, the 
several companies of the battalion had been assigned to the duty of serving 
ammunition. The wagon company, under Captain Schuyler C. Scrimger, 
had the task of supplying the infantry and machine gun outfits with small 
arms ammunition. The two caisson companies, for tactical purposes, were 
assigned to duty with the two light artillery regiments of the brigade, Com- 
pany E, under Captain Pierce L. Shannon, with the 122nd Field Artillery, 
and Company F, under Captain Peter L. Rusiewicz, with the 124th Field 
Artillery. It was the duty of these companies to transport ammunition from 
the advance dumps established by the train to the gun positions of the regi- 
ments to which they were assigned. While it was with the 122nd Regiment, 




A FOOD DUMP IX THE FORET DE HESSE 



THE 108TH AMMUNITION TRAIN 



639 



Company E suffered heavy casualties, losing seven men killed and twenty- 
three wounded. 

After the fighting ceased the ammunition train continued to function as 
usual for several days, preparing for a possible renewal of hostilities. Soon, 
however, its duties became routine. The delivery of food and forage to the 
several units of the brigade kept the personnel busy until December 24, when 
moving orders were issued. The brigade assembled in Stenay Christmas Eve, 
and was held there until January 4, 191 9, when the march into Luxemburg 
was begun. In Luxemburg the brigade rejoined the Thirty-third Division and 
went into winter quarters. The ammunition train was established in six towns 
in the vicinity of IMersch, headquarters being at Tuntingen. 

On reporting to the Thirty-third Division the ammunition train was as- 
signed to the job of cleaning up all of the materiel left by the Germans in 
their retreat through Luxemburg. This materiel included several hundred 
thousand rounds of ammunition, hundreds of cannon of various calibre, and 
horses and vehicles of every description. 

Spring brought the welcome order to prepare for transport home. The 
trucks, wagons, horses and mules, the caissons and tractors were turned in 
at ordnance depots. The men entrained at Mersch, for their jaunt across 
France to Brest, whence they 
sailed for home on May 12, on 
the transport Charleston. 

The men of the io8th Am- 
munition Train returned to the 
United States with a record of 
which they had every right to 
be proud. Many of them had 
been cited for personal bravery, 
and their organization had won 
distinguished official recognition. 
Thirty-five officers and men of 
the train had lost their lives in 
France, either in action or as a 
result of sickness, and forty- 
three men of the train were en- 
titled to wear wound chevrons. 

After landing at Hoboken, 
the ammunition train remained 
at Camp Mills until the end of 
May, then entrained for Chicago, 
where the artillery brigade's re- 
turn was celebrated on June 2. 
Two days later the personnel 
was mustered out of service at 
Camp Grant. the rocky gateway at pontarlier 




640 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




A LINF OF TRUCKS AT SFPTFOXTAINES 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE io8th AMMUNITION TRAIN WHO WERE KILLED IN 
ACTION, DIED OF WOUNDS OR DIED OF DISEASE OVERSEAS 



First Lieutenant 

Byron B. Carmichael 

Battalion Sergeant Major 
John J. McShane 

Sergeants 

Charles H. CuUom 
Olaf Iverson 
Hugh P. Murphy 
Harry A. Sargent 
Oliver G. Ward 
Jay A. Weyrick 

Corporals 

Harry Petesch 
John C. O'Connor 
Arthur C. Samuelson 
Russel J. Wheeland 

Wagoners 

John Duncan 
Ervin F. Grant 
William A. Pope 



Privates, First Class 
Charles E. Green 
Gust S. Soranden 
Ben H. Taylor 

Privates 

John R. Brassel 
Gordon J. Campbell 
Frank E. Gaal 
Ernest E. Grant 
Benjamin F. Haecker 
Paul 0. Hansen 
Charles O. Harmon 
George G. Lucy 
Thomas Moss 
Arthur W. Mellor 
Daniel J. O'Brien 
John Parutis 
Louis Peterson 
Max Shore 
Bernard A. Taylor 
Frank G. Tenka 
Frank H. Weaver 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE ioSth AMMUNITION TRAIN WHO WERE AWARDED 
CERTIFICATES FOR ESPECIALLY MERITORIOUS AND CONSPICUOUS SERVICE 



Lieutenant Colonel 
Walter J. Fisher 

Captain 

Don M. Phelps 



Sergeants 

Daniel F. Lumbra 
William A. McCormick 
Thomas J. Tracey 



THE 108TH AMMUNITION TRAIN 



641 




CAPTAINS OF THE ioSth AMMUNITION TRAIN 
Top row: Frank L. Alloway, Frank H. Cul, Patrick J. Dineen, Alexander M. Donnelly. 
Second row: John A. Hartman, Leo A. Lanigan, Paul L. Moon. 
Third row: Sigmund Newfield, Thomas E. Nolan, John J. O'Hearn. 
Bottom row: Oivil O'Neal, Don M. Phelp, Peter L. Rusiewicz, Schuyler S. Scrimger. 



642 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE ioSth AMMUNITION TRAIN WHO WERE CITED FOR 
GALLANTRY BY GENERAL BELL 

"I Received citations both from General Bell and General Pershing. 



Lieutenant Colonel 
Walter J. Fisher 

Captains 

John J. O'Hearn (Chaplain) 
Don M. Phelps 

First Lieutenant 

Robert D. Ronayne 

Second Lieutenant 

Edward McKernan 

Sergeants 

Arthur E. Black 
t James Flaherty 
Charles E. Keating 
Daniel F. Lumbra 
John A. Martin 
William A. McCormick 
Frank O'Connor 
Phillip O'Neill 
Thomas J. Tracey 
Clarence E. Tripp 



Corporal 

Claude Armstrong 

Wagoners 

William J. Brown 
Martin Cavanaugh 
Ernest Eckel 
Albert Johnson 
Scott A. Malcolm 
Arthur J. Meuser 
James Murphy 
Hilding W. Ohlson 
Joseph Reznicek 
Ralph H. Tomlin 
Robert E. Walsh 

Privates, First Class 
Michael Healy 
Melker I. Sund 

Privates 

Gerald Hefferman 
Edwin Kluga 
Stanley P. Salata 
John L. Schalk 
Victor Van Hook 




MAJORS OF THE ioSth AMMUNITION TRAIN 

Left to right: Samuel N. Sorensen, Ole Olson, Clyde C. Miner. 



THE 108TH AMMUNITION TRAIN 



643 




OFFICERS OF THE ioSth AMMUNITION TRAIN 

Top row: Captains Pierce L. Shannon, Froman Smith, H. E. N. Stine, Edd R. Turner. 
Second row: Captain Preston W. Whitaker, Lieutenants B. B. Carmichael, M. S. Cash, H. J. Dovle. 
Third row : Lieutenants Layman D. Evans, E. H. Fiebig, Stephen Pavlack, R. D. Ronayne. 
Bottom row: Lieutenants Walter R. Scanlon. H. W. Vogt, Edward Cuyler. John J. Houhhan. 



644 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



OFFICERS OF THE ioSth AMMUNITION TRAIN WHO SERVED OVERSEAS 

Lieutenant Colonel 
Walter J. Fisher 

Majors 

Joseph W. Golding, D. C. 
Clyde C. Miner 
Ole Olson, M. C. 
Samuel N. Sorensen 

Captains 

Frank L. Allovvav, M. C. 
Frank H. Cull 
Patrick J. Dineen 
Alexander M. Donnelly 
John A. Hartman 
Leo A. Lanigan 
Paul L. Moon 
Thom:is E. Nolan 
John J. O'Hearn, Chaplain 
Don M. Phelps 
Peter L. Rusiewicz 
Schuyler C. Scrimger 
Pierce L. Shannon 
Froman Smith 
Harry E. N. Stine 
Cdd R. Turner 
MAJOR JOSEPH W. GOLDING Preston W. Whitaker, M. C. 





ON THE AVOCOURT-VERY ROAD 

American ambulances, with wounded, moving south from Very. On this road, on October 8, 1918, 
the enemy bombed the headquarters of the horse battalion of the ammunition train. 



THE 108TH AMMUNITION TRAIN 



645 



First Lieutenants 

Harold A. Badger, D. C. 

Byron B. Carmicliael, D. C. (deceased) 

Mitchell S. Cash 

Lyman D. Evans 

Edwin H. Fiebig 

John H. Gilbert 

Cecil J. Gridley 

Fred J. Leppert (later Captain) 

Robert D. Ronaync 

Stephen Pavlack 

Walter T^. Scanlon, D. C. 



Harry W. Vogt 
Thomas J. Walsh 

Second Lieutenants 

Clarence Barb, Veterinarian 

Thomas J. Dineen 

Ray M. Higgins 

John J. Houlihan 

Clive J. Kimbrough 

Edward McKernan 

Holbert E. Norton 

Harold G. Ward ("ater First Lieutenant) 



OFFICERS WHO SERVED WITH TRAIN DURING THE TRAINING PERIOD 



Lieutenant Colonels 
John M. Clasby 
John V. Clinnin (later Colonel) 

Majors 

Maurice J. Holway 
Joseph Moore 

Captains 

James J. Dineen (later Major) 
Sigmund Newfield 
Orvil O'Neal 

First Lieutenants 

Harvey J. Doyle 
William A. Feenev 



Arthur S. O'Neill 
Daniel T. Quinlan 
Alex W. Swenson 

Second Lieutenants 
Wilbur H. Collins 
Patrick Cronin 
Edward Cuyler 

Richard Iverson (later First Lieutenant) 
John F. Meehan 
William R. Melzer 

Elmer J. Meinken (later First Lieutenant) 
Walter L. Whittaker 




SECOND LIEUTENANTS OF THE ioSth AMMUNITION TRAIN 
Left to right: J. Clive Kimbrough, Edward McKernan, William R. Melzer, Robert E. Norton. 




MONT DES ALLIEUX, BATTERED BY THE TRENCH MORTARS 



The 108th Trench Mortar Battery 

By Captain Charles J. Kraft 

AR, changed but little in its general features 
in the centuries since gunpowder swept away 
the heroics of mediaeval conflict, underwent 
radical modifications in the years from 1914 
to 1 91 8. In the air, under the sea, in sub- 
surface labyrinths on land, the soldiers in 
the World War found themselves forced to 
new methods and new devices. In this 
military transformation the trench mortar 
emerged as an effective instrument of short- 
range combat. And among the few Ameri- 
can units that had the distinction of serv- 
ing actively in this new phase of an ancient 
art was an Illinois organization, the 108th 
Trench Mortar Battery. 

The battery was organized at Camp 

Logan, with the machine gun company of 

the old sixth Illinois Infantry as a nucleus. 

The machine gunners of the Sixth were 

Geneseo men, who had been called to the colors, under Captain Frank Wald- 

heim, on March 26, 1Q17. They began training at Springfield a week later, 

but in May were ordered to East St. Louis, to assist in quelling race riots. 

The summer of 191 7 was spent in guard duty, but in September the 
machine gun company was ordered with the rest of the Sixth Infantry, to 
Camp Logan, to become part of the Thirty-third Division. Shortly after the 
company reached the Texas camp, Captain Waldheim was appointed supply 

646 




THE 108TH TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY 



647 




CLEARING CAMP LOGAN 



officer of the 123rd Field 
Artillery and his two 
lieutenants — First Lieu- 
tenant Joseph L. Shaw 
and Second Lieutenant 
H. T. Johnson — were 
transferred to other 
units. Their places were 
filled by Captain Wil- 
liam A. Warn, First 
Lieutenant Cullins and 
Second Lieutenant Earl 
G. Smith. At the same 
time the company was 
made a part of the 124th 
Machine Gun Battalion. 
On October 8 a new 
alignment of forces was 
made. Captain Warn's 
company was transferred to the artillery brigade, and was designated the 
108th Trench Mortar Battery, a type of artillery new to the American army. 

Officers and men were delighted over the opportunity to participate in 
the development of a new arm, but their ardor was dampened somewhat by 
the fact that no mortars were available. Lacking real guns, they had to make 
dummies out of tree trunks. Moreover, the substitutes themselves were sub- 
ject to change. New types were introduced, sometimes as often as once a 
week, and since no one knew what sort of mortars finally would be issued, 
the battery had to drill with horse-drawn dummies one day and motorized 
pieces the next. Practice in sighting and emplacement was quite out of the 
question. The officers were not even supplied with blue prints or designs of 
the mechanism of the guns they would be expected to use in France. 

In spite of these discouragements the morale of the battery was kept 
high. Officers and men accepted their handicaps cheerfully and made the 
best of the situation. 

Early in the winter Captain Frank Frazier, a veteran of the regular army, 
succeeded Captain Warn as commander of the battery. Lieutenant Cullins 
was discharged, and First Lieutenants Lawrence K. Lewis and Herbert J. 
Powell were added to the roster. 

The following months brought other changes in personnel. First of all, 
Lieutenant Bradley C. Mittendorf was transferred from the 124th Field 
Artillery to become supply officer of the battery in place of Lieutenant Smith. 
Then Lieutenant Thomas H. Henderson of the 131st Infantry was attached 
to the battery. Finally, Captain Frazier failed to pass the physical examina- 
tion for service in France, and was replaced by Captain Charles J. Kraft. 

Late in 191 7 detachments of new recruits for the Thirty-third Division 



648 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



arrived. Most of the new men assigned to the trench mortar battery came 
from Chicago and were excellent material for soldiers. Drilling and the 
other routine of camp life kept the battery fully occupied during the winter 
and early spring. The men became perfectly trained in the use of dummies, 
and it was realized that only a short period of practice with real mortars 
would be necessary to fit them for actual warfare. 

Orders to break camp, which had been awaited impatiently, came on 
May 14. By 3 o'clock in the afternoon the battery had left Camp Logan and 
it arrived at Camp Merritt, N. J., five days later. After a week at this camp, 
during which the men received new equipment, orders were received to board 
the Kashmir, a British transport. The battery sailed on May 27. 

The passage was uneventful and the battery landed at Liverpool on 
June 7. After spending four days in English rest camps, the men embarked 
at Southampton and crossed to Havre on the Viper, an overcrowded chan- 
nel steamer. Two days of railroad travel carried the battery to the vicinity 
of Ornans, where the men had their first genuine rest. On the following day, 
June 15, training quarters were established in the pretty village of Montge- 
saye, in the foot hills of the Juras. 

The hospitality of the French people and the beauty of the country 
made the stay in Montgesaye one to be remembered. More important, how- 
ever, was the fact that in their new station the men of the battery obtained 
real trench mortars — 6-inch Newtons. 

Captain Kraft and Lieutenant Henderson were sent to a mortar school 
at Langres, while the battery took up intensive training, which was con- 
tinued until July i, when a move to 
Valdahon was ordered. At»Valda- 
hon the battery was equipped with 
twelve trench mortars and two anti- 
aircraft guns, and for the first time 
was able to try out the pieces with 
which it was to engage the enemy. 
Energetic training was carried 
on for almost two months before 
the battery was ordered to the 
front. It was August 23 when the 
command cam?. The battery 
moved by rail to Pagny-sur-Meuse, 
and then marched ten miles to the 
Toul sector, encamping in the Foret 
de la Reine just north of Toul. 
There the men waited, but the delay 
was enlivened by the sight of many 
aerial battles, in which several en- 
emy planes were brought down by 
CAPTAIN CHARLES J. KRAFT American anti-aircraft guns. 




THE io8th trench MORTAR BATTERY 649 



On August 31 an ad- 
vance was made three 
miles northwest. Instead 
of being sent to the Hne, 
however, the gunners 
were assigned to mihtary 
poHce duty in controlling 
traffic over the roads 
leading forward. Here 
the men experienced 
their first gas attack, 
happily without casual- 
ties. 

The battery re- 
mained in this forward 
position until September 
9, when it was assigned 

temporarily to the Eighty-ninth Division, and proceeded to Menil-la-Tour. 
Most of the march was made through the rain, and when the men reached 
their destination in the St. Mihiel sector it was necessary for them to sleep 
on the wet ground, without fires and with rain beating in their faces. With the 
prospect of action, however, the men made light of such discomforts. 

On the St. Mihiel front great activity was noticeable, and it soon became 
evident that an attack was about to be made. The gunners had to wait no 
longer than the night of September 11-12. Shortly before midnight they were 
ordered into action. The barrage began at 1:30 a. m. and continued with 




INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH AT AUBREVILLE 




TRENCHES BETWEEN AUBREVILLE AND VRAINCOURT 
These trenches were at one time used as French general headquarters. 



6';o 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 




NOx\COMS OF THE BATTERY 

Standing: Sergeants Estus and Wert, First Sergeant Berg, Ser- 
geants Pobantz and Liken. 
Seated: Sergeants Sheets, Tribbett, Goldbaum, Sandeen and Berge. 



great intensity until 5 
o'clock, when the infan- 
try went over the top in 
the drive that smashed 
the St. Mihiel salient. 

The attack was de- 
livered with such force 
that within a few hours 
the enemy had been 
driven out of range of 
the trench mortars, 
which had advanced as 
far as Remonville. There 
the battery's first en- 
gagement ended. It was 
cited for the efficiency of 
its barrage in this attack. 

Two days later an- 
other move began. Go- 
ing by way of Boncourt, 
Pont-sur-]\Ieuse and Au- 
trecourt, the battery 
reached Vraincourt, a 
town which had been the 
object of especially de- 



structive shelling by the Germans. The march was made in eight days — a 
remarkable achievement. 

Vraincourt was enjoying a brief freedom from enemy shells. A few old 
men and women were found there, despite the fact that most of the buildings 
were in ruins. Unfortunately the battery's coming caused fresh terror for the 
inhabitants, for on the afternoon of September 25 the Germans discovered 
the presence of American troops, and renewed the bombardment. High ex- 
plosive shells and gas bombs rained on the town. An old barn, in which a 
number of the men of the battery were billeted, was struck by a shell. Chief 
Mechanic William Berrehus, Waggoners John G. Mapes, Harry E. Wiles and 
Edwin Knoess, and Privates Albert Johnson and Adolph Erickson were killed. 
Corporal Anthony Mayer, Waggoner Harry J. Fruit and Private George Sco- 
ville were wounded so severely that it was necessary to take them to the 
Souilly Hospital. 

The tragedy made the men of the battery anxious to move forward so that 
they might hit back at the enemy. Marching orders came that night and 
action commenced almost immediately, with the opening of the Meuse-Ar- 
gonne offensive on September 26. 

The battery was stationed on Hill 290, northwest of Neuvilly and Verdun 
and immediately north of Clermont. Trench mortar emplacements had 



652 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 



been dug, but they required considerable repairing. Six mortars and two 
anti-aircraft machine guns were placed in position in record time. Delivery 
of ammunition to the guns was difficult. The 55-pound shells were trans- 
ported by truck to the top of the hill behind the battery's positions, and from 
there they were carried by the men of the battery to the guns, a distance 
of more than 500 yards. It was a tremendous task but there was no com- 
plaint, Am.munition was brought forward in sufficient quantity to maintain 
continuous fire. The battery was highly commended for the efficiency of its 
work in cutting barbed-wire entanglements, destroying machine gun nests, 
and causing heavy losses to the enemy. 

The Germans resisted stubbornly, appreciating the value to the Ameri- 
cans of the ground lost, but they were driven back faster than the mortars 
could be advanced. This held the battery immediately behind the in- 
fantry line and ahead of the artillery. 

On October 26 the battery moved forward from Epinonville into another 




r.y neuviuy 



THE OPENING OF THE ARGONNE OFFENSIVE 

Showing the positions of the units of the Fifty-eighth Field Artillery Brigade on September 26, 
1918. The advanced positions held by the trench mortars are evident. 



THE 108TH TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY 653 




SOUILLY, FIRST AILMY HEADQUARTERS 



654 



ILLINOIS IN THE WORLD WAR 





1 . ^\ 'Wm 1 





SECOND LIEUTENANT 
THOMAS M. HENDERSON 



part of the Meuse sector, where the Ameri- 
can advance was being bitterly contested. 
It was sent to the front in an unusually 
difficult position at Bald Hill, north of 
Romagne, where emplacements for the 
mortars had to be built in the open, in 
advance of the infantry. 

Although the work was done at night, 
and with the utmost care, the men of the 
battery constantly were exposed to shell 
fire and gas attacks. Captain Kraft, Lieu- 
tenant Powell and Lieutenant Henderson 
were wounded while directing the work of 
their men, but the guns finally were placed 
and trained on the Germans. On Novem- 
ber 7 the battery was relieved and sent to 
Camp du Courcelles for a well-earned rest. 
The camp was a collection of shacks, 
huddled on the south slope of a small bluff for protection against enemy fire. 
It was one of the most isolated spots the battery ever encountered, and the 
uncanny quiet of the place kept most of the men from sleeping. The battery 
remained at Camp de Courcelles until November 29, 191 8. It was then sent 
to Souilly, an important railway terminus in northern France, to be attached 
to the headquarters of the First Army. 

Guard duty occupied the men's time for six weeks. On January 12 
orders to proceed to the port of St. Nazaire brought delight to the battery. 
The trip to the coast was broken two days 
later at St. Mathurin, where the battery left 
the train and marched about twelve kilo- 
meters to Corny. Here the battery re- 
mained for nearly a month, and then spent 
two weeks at Braine-sur-l'Anthion, near An- 
gers. Three more days at St. Nazaire and 
the formalities of embarkation were com- 
pleted. On February 28, 191 9, the battery 
boarded the LTnited States transport lowan, 
bound for home. Hoboken was reached on 
March 13, and after a week at Camp Mer- 
ritt the battery started for Chicago. That 
city gave the gunners, the first unit of the 
Thirty-third Division to return, an enthu- 
siastic welcome. Once more, then, the bat- 
tery found itself at Camp Grant, where 

it was mustered out of service, the last second lieutenant 

man receiving his discharge on March 31. george f. gorey 




THE 108TH TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY 655 



MEN OF THE ioSth TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY WHO WERE KILLED IN ACTION 
DIED OF WOUNDS OR DIED OF DISEASE OVERSEAS. 

Cli'ef Mechanic 

William Berrchus 

Wago}i-ers 

John G. Mapes 
Harry E. Wiles 
Edwin Knoess 

Privates 

Albert Johnson 
Adolph Erickson 

OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE ioSth 
TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY WHO 
WERE CITED FOR GALLANTRY BY 
GENERAL PERSHING 

First Lieutenant 

Herbert J. Powell 
Second Lieutenants 

George F. Gorey 

Thomas M. Henderson 
First Sergeant 

Andrew Berg 
Sergeant 

Thomas Liken 

Corporals 

John Milchavik 
Lawrence W. Savre 




LIEUTENANT JOHN S. PETTIT 



OFFICERS OF THE ioSth TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY 



Captains 

Charles J. Kraft 
Frank Frazier 
William W. Warn 

First Lieutenants 

Lawrence K. Lewis 



John S. Pettit 
Herbert J. Powell 

Second Lieutenants 
George F. Gorey 
Thomas M. Henderson 
Bradley C. Mittendorf 
Earl G. Smith 




BATTERY HEADQUARTERS AT SOUILLY 



^ 4 5' 89 ~l| 



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